Junk Food Advertising Should be Banned, Paediatrics State

By Ina Woolcott

AAP, The American Academy of Paediatrics stated that Congress should pass legislation banning junk food commercials on TV shows that target children, and paediatricians should support a ban, or severe restrictions on unhealthy food ads appearing in schools.

The AAP's policy asks Congress and the FCC, Federal Communications Commission, to restrict children's commercial exposure during children's television programs to 5 or 6 minutes per hour, which means a 50% cut from the current allowance. The policy also calls on the makers of the impotence drug Viagra to show commercials only after 2200 hours

Recent studies have highlighted the ever increasing rates of childhood obesity, and have shown that children are being constantly bombarded by ads for unhealthy foods and drinks. These advertisements appear on TV, the Internet, video games, mobile phones, school buses and at schools, thereby encouraging kids to buy unhealthy products, according to paediatrician Victor Srasburger, who authored the AAP's proposed policy.

Critics also point out that the UK has already passed laws banning such advertising to children.

The Institute of Medicine made a study public last year that found children 12 years old and younger who are exposed to food and beverage marketing, often ask their parents to buy unhealthy, sugary - or artificially sweetened for that matter - high-calorie foods and drinks.

The United States cant hope to stop the current epidemics of childhood obesity and diabetes unless legislators enforce bans on advertising junk foods and sugary drinks to children. Government regulators should NOT continue to allow corporations to exploit the health of our children for profit. They should stand up for the public and put end commercials of junk foods and prescription drugs.

According to Arizona State University educational policy researcher Alex Molnar, 83% of public schools allow corporate advertising on campus, while 2/3 of surveyed schools reported advertising relationships with junk food and drink companies.