Playground Fun (photo by Dawn, courtesy of morguefile.com)

A study by Ameena Batada, DrPH, and colleagues at the Center for Science in the Public Interest found that an overwhelming majority of Saturday morning television ads aimed at children were pitching unhealthy foods.

A report on the study by CBS News said, “Ninety-one percent (91%) of food advertisements were for foods or beverages high in fat, sodium, or added sugars or were low in nutrients. Cartoon characters were used in 74% of food advertisements, and toy or other giveaways were used in 26% of food advertisements.”

The scientists at the Center for Science in the Public Interest were not impressed by health-message programs launched by food companies and trade organizations. They wrote, "When coupled with foods of poor nutritional quality, health/nutrition and physical activity messages are likely to be misleading and perhaps do more to promote unhealthful eating than to promote health."

Busy parents could use some help from government and industry when it comes to protecting kids from unhealthy messages. But if no help is forthcoming from those quarters, than maybe it’s time for parents to turn off the TV sets and find healthier activities for kids.

If you’d like to read the report from CBS News cited above go to: Kids Fed Lots Of Junk-Food Ads On Saturday