FTC: No Rise In Junk-Food Ads

FTC: NO RISE IN JUNK-FOOD ADS
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
In a move sure to give ammunition to food marketers, the Federal Trade Commission said the number of TV ads for “junk” foods that kids see has not increased over the past 30 years. Critics of TV food marketing have argued that a rise in such ads corresponds to the rise in childhood obesity and point to their own data that diverges dramatically from the FTC's. “Our data do not support the view that children are exposed to more TV food ads today,” said the FTC, saying that viewing of such ads has fallen by about 9%. The FTC also says that there were not more ads for low-nutrition foods in 2004 (when the study was conducted) than in 1977, although it essentially concedes that that means those foods dominate just as much in 2004 as they did in 1977, with almost 95% of the ads for fast foods and restaurants; cereal, mostly highly sugared; desserts; sweets; snacks; and sweetened drinks.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6448605.html
* FTC press release
http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2007/06/childrenadsstudy.shtm

* Don't Starve Kids TV
[Commentary] Childhood obesity is a serious, complex issue in need of thorough and thoughtful solutions. Starving creativity and quality would be a hollow victory.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6448611.html