1. Television Food Advertising The effects on children's Health
Children have always been targeted by food agencies. In the early 20th century companies such as cracker jacks would place toys in the boxes and bubble gum companies would place sports cards in their packaging to attract children. When television became the new medium marketing agencies began to place children in a separate advertising market.
Fast food restaurants, junk food companies as well as soda companies joined together to target children.

2. Marketing to Children
The Federal Trades Commission reported that in 2006 “44 major food and
beverage marketers spent $1.6 billion to promote their products to children” (FTC).
Compare that to the one million dollars spent annually by the national
Cancer institute to promote “Five a Day for Better Health”. Their campaign to promote fruits and vegetable intake.
Today the Average American child sees more than 25,000-40,000 food
advertisements on TV each year. In a 1996 study it was recorded that there were over 200 food advertisements on Saturday morning cartoons.

3. Why are Children targeted?
Children under 10 are incapable of telling the difference between a commercial and the actual show, and cannot understand the purpose of a commercial until the age of 12.
Although children do not have spending money of their own, they have tremendous power over their parents. Parents usually give in to children simply because they beg until they get their way.
Children spend about 140 billion a year, 15% of this is spent on fast foods and snacks.
Children influence 19.6 billion grocery purchases each year.

4. Advertising Techniques
Promotional toys either tie in to cartoons, TV shows and movies. Cartoon and toy characters are used on all kinds of products, attempting to catch the children's eyes and purchases. Channel One: Short news show filled with commercials that children are forced to watch in schools – advertisers pay $175,000 for thirty second slots on the show Children's toys are starting to carry product placements

5. Advertising Techniques
Food companies have created characters to attract children Created meals especially designed for children with toys. Children are so greatly effected by these commercials that some countries have banned advertisements aimed towards children or banned the commercials during childrens cartoons

6. Low-income children watch TV at a significantly higher rate then other children. Therefore they are exposed to more food advertisements. “Content analyses of television advertising have found that shows featuring African Americans have more food commercials than do general prime-time shows and that these commercials feature more energy-dense foods” (Kumanyika & Grier, 2006).
Typically foods highest in calories are lowest in price. It is easier for a working mother/father to buy food from a corner store or fast food restaurant. A 1995 study estimated that low-income neighborhoods have 30 percent fewer supermarkets than higher-income areas.
These neighborhoods also have a greater availability to fast food chains then other neighborhoods.

7. Effects on Children’s Health
Obesity has been associated with diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus type 2, certain types of cancer, and osteoarthritis.
The processes that lead to a heart attack or stroke start in childhood and often take decades to progress to the point of overt disease. Obesity in childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood may accelerate these processes.
It has been predicted that the U.S. could be facing its first drop in life expectancy due to the poor health of children today.
The percentage of children who are obese has tripled since 1980.

8. Parents or Marketing Agencies?
Who has more control
Parents or Marketing Agencies?
Should more laws be implemented to stop these agencies?