Children Are Likely Watching Junk Food Ads on Nickelodeon

Whenever children watch the popular children’s network Nickelodeon, nearly 80 percent of food ads they see are promoting foods of poor nutritional quality,
according to an analysis conducted by the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

This is only “a modest and not quite statistically significant drop
from 2005, when CSPI researchers found that about 90 percent of food
ads on Nick were for junk food,” CSPI announced.

The watchdog organization points out that between the two studies (in 2005 and 2009), the
food industry instituted a self-regulatory program through the Council
of Better Business Bureaus, the Children’s Food and Beverage
Advertising Initiative (CFBAI).

Listen to what else CSPI discovered with advertising from food companies that
participate in the “self-regulatory program.”

Of 452 foods and
beverages that companies claim are acceptable to market to children, 267, or nearly 60 percent, do NOT meet CSPI’s recommended
nutrition standards for food marketing to children, such as General
Mills’ Cookie Crisp and Reese’s Puffs cereals, Kellogg Apple Jacks and
Cocoa Krispies cereals, Kellogg Rice Krispies Treats, Campbell’s
Goldfish crackers and SpaghettiOs, Kraft Macaroni & Cheese, and
many Unilever Popsicles.

“While industry self-regulation is providing some useful
benchmarks, it’s clearly not shielding children from junk food
advertising, on Nick and elsewhere,” said CSPI nutrition policy
director Margo G. Wootan.

“It’s a modest start, but not sufficient to
address children’s poor eating habits and the sky-high rates of
childhood obesity.”

“Nickelodeon should be ashamed that it earns so much money from
carrying commercials that promote obesity, diabetes, and other health
problems in young children,” Wootan said. “If media and food companies
don’t do a better job exercising corporate responsibility when they
market foods to children, Congress and the FTC will need to step in to
protect kids’ health.”

Wootan makes some valid points. Nick should be embarrassed by the fact that so many TV ads pitch junk foods that can lead to obesity, diabetes and more.

It’s time, I believe, for the government to step in to prevent junk food advertising to kids.