Doctors: Ban Junk-Food Ads on Kids’ TV

The largest group of U.S. children’s doctors has called for a ban on ads for junk food and fast food during kids’ TV programs. The proposal is part of a new policy statement from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). The group urged that interactive advertising for these foods be banned from digital TV, cell phones and other media. The policy also outlined ways that doctors and parents can help to prevent child obesity by restricting TV and other “screen time.” Doctors should ask parents how much screen time their children have daily, the policy says. They also should ask whether there is a TV or Internet-connected computer in the child’s room. Doctors should encourage parents to talk to their children about food advertising and good nutrition, the AAP says. The AAP recommends no more than two hours of screen time a day for kids age 2 and up.