A recent public opinion survey by the Transatlantic Consumer Dialogue (TACD) found that 82 percent of Americans think food companies aren't doing enough to help combat obesity. Though a staggering number of food companies say they're reformulating products to make them healthier, consumers are looking for more.

"US based companies are complying with government initiatives in Europe that curb junk food advertising to kids, limit fat and salt content in processed foods, and call for nutrition information on the front of food packages, but are opposing such steps in the US..."

The survey also found that Americans still think there is too much advertising of junk food to children and that the government should get more involved in combating childhood obesity. Source: FoodNavigator.com.

Labels: advertising, food_companies, junk_food

The International Association for the Study of Obesity (IASO) is asking food and soft drink manufacturers to adopt global standards on marketing their products to children and adolescents. A draft of the standard was developed by the International Obesity Task Force, the policy arm of the IASO.

"The proposed code would require a ban on all advertising of junk food and caloric soft drinks to children under 16 years old on television up to a 9 pm watershed and complete restrictions on internet promotions of junk food to children, where children's online games are often used as selling techniques. The use of celebrities and cartoons, already forbidden in Ireland, would also be prohibited."

Members of the IASO acknowledge that the global ban would not immediately bring an end to the problem of childhood obesity. It would, however, raise awareness that this is a serious problem worldwide. Read more at Scoop.co.nz.

Labels: advertising, marketing, soft_drinks

A collection of studies recently published in the American Journal of Preventative Medicine found that, in the fight against childhood obesity, the odds are not in our favor.

"A study of 200,000 television commercials aired on shows popular with the teen audience found that more than one quarter of them were for fast food, sweets, and beverages... If you're looking for an explanation for our 'childhood obesity epidemic,' the constant barrage of marketing in support of products that literally feed that epidemic might be a good place to start."

But parents have some ammunition of their own, especially because they can determine what foods are and are not allowed in the home. Choosing fruits and veggies for snacks, and limiting after-dinner snacks are just two ways that parents can fight back. Read more at CalorieLab.com.

Labels: advertising, media_influences, studies

British media regulator Ofcom stopped short of a total ban on junk food advertisement aimed at children. It's a move that has disappointed the British Heart Foundation and consumer groups, which called for a complete ban on all junk food advertising before 9pm.

"Under the plans, celebrities and characters from films or TV programs would not be allowed to take part in any food or drink commercial targeted at the under-10s. Adverts showing excessive consumption would also be discouraged. Ofcom research indicates TV adverts have a 'modest direct effect' on children's food choice."

Ofcom goes on to say, however, that exercise, family eating patterns and school policies play a greater role than advertising. Read more at BBC.co.uk.

Labels: advertising, influences, junk_food

In an extension of its current ban on junk food ads for kids under the age of 10, Britain rang in the New Year with a ban on junk food ads to kids under the age of sixteen.

"Specifically, the new measures, agreed last year, will ban adverts for junk food and drink around programmes of particular appeal to children under 16 years... Some campaigners say the ban which came into force Monday does not go far enough, calling for a total ban on junk food ads after 9:00 pm."

This is the latest in a string of measures the British government has made to try and fight growing childhood obesity.

Labels: advertising, marketing, media influences

Last year, the Council of Better Business Bureau's Children's Food and Beverage Advertising Initiative was created as a means of self-regulation for the Food and Beverage Industry and its advertising to children. Today, chairman of the House Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet, Edward Markey submitted letters to five leading food companies which are not currently part of the Initiative.

"'I am writing to you to ascertain whether your company will join the CBBB initiative and commit to implementing marketing restrictions that meet or exceed those of the other companies that have made pledges, and if so, your timeline for doing so,' wrote Chairman Markey on Wednesday."

Participants in the initiative adopted certain nutrition standards that determine which foods and beverages will and will not be marketed to young children. There are currently 12 companies involved, include Coca-Cola, Hershey, and Kellogg. Among those not involved are Nestle, Dannon, and ConAgra.

Copper Canyon Academy, struggling girls boarding schools, offer programs to help teenage girls deal with their emotions and behaviors while getting caught up academically.

Labels: advertising, food_companies, marketing

A study that was conducted in 2003-2004 and is being published in the journal Pediatrics found that advertising during kids' TV shows was almost entirely comprised of junk food ads.

"A nine-month survey of the nutritional content of food ads in 170 top-rated [according to Nielsen] TV shows with kids 2-17 concluded that 97.8% of those food ads viewed by young children (2-11) were for foods with poor nutritional content, and 89.4% of ads for teens (12-17)."

The survey did not include fast food advertisements. The senior Vice President of the American Association of Advertising Agencies has argued that the findings are in opposition to a study conducted by the FTC but, while the FTC study found that ads for junk food hadn’t increased significantly in 30 years, it also found that 95% of all ads were for restaurants, fast or junk foods.

Copper Canyon Academy all girls schools help struggling girls find their way back on track.

Labels: advertising, junk_food, TV

Following in the footsteps of Discovery Communications and Nickelodeon - who made similar announcements this week - Time Warner's Cartoon Network has announced that it will only allow use of its licensed characters for the marketing of nutritious products. House Energy & Commerce's telecom committee chairman, Rep. Ed Markey, D-Mass., called the move a "positive step forward."

"The moves come as some critics question whether advertising and promotion of poor food choices is a part of the reason for increasing childhood obesity and demand marketers and media companies act to limit the ads kids see to better food choices."

The Cartoon Network said that its new licensing agreements will be effective January 1. Read more at TVWeek.com.

Labels: advertising, marketing, media influences

At a Federal Trade Commission Forum on Wednesday, eleven of the nation's biggest food and beverage companies signed contracts agreeing to limit the kinds of products they'll market to children. The pledges came from companies like Coca-Cola, McDonald's USA, Kraft Foods Inc. and General Mills who are promising to restrict advertising to kids 12 and younger.

"If the task force determines that these pledges do not go far enough, legislation may follow, said Gary Knell, the task force's volunteer chairman and the chief executive of Sesame Workshop, an educational organization."

The task force on media and childhood obesity led by Senators Sam Brownback (R-Kan.) and Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) is working on a report on media and childhood obesity.

Read more at LATimes.com.

Labels: advertising, junk_food, marketing