"junk food ads" news and stories

According to a study conducted at Black Entertainment Television during the summer of 2005, there were far more more commercials for fast food and snacks on black-oriented TV than on channels aimed at the more general population. The results of this study, which will likely prove to be provocative, indicated a cause for the rising trend in obesity among African-American children. The study monitored commercials during the afternoon hours, the time slot most attractive to children who watch cartoons and 'tween shows; the the WB network and Disney Channel were also involved in the study. During the time slot, over 1,000 ads were shown on all three channels. On BET 66 percent of the ads were for fast food commercials, as opposed to 34 percent on the WB and none on the Disney channel. BET scored an 82 percent for soda ads, with WB at 11 percent and the Disney channel was again last at 6 percent. As for high calorie, low fiber snacks, the BET commercial time came in at 60 percent, nothing for the WB and the Disney channel scored 60 percent.

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The UK media regulator Ofcom has put forth four proposals for regulating and limiting the advertisements that can appear on children's programming. The group said that the general public felt that some action was necessary in this situation, facing a rise in obesity, and their proposals are designed to satisfy worried parents. Advertisements were found to have a "modest direct effect" on the food choices of children, though Ofcom's research indicated that other factors - including family trends and school policies - had a larger impact on their diets and waistlines. All four proposals deal with some combination of timing and content restrictions. Some reports indicate that the prime viewing time for children is between 6 and 9 pm, and restrictions in that period would clearly limit what adults are exposed to, as well.

The proposals will be discussed until June 6, at which point one may be put into effect.

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