Envision this: youngsters across the world are seated in front of the TV viewing food commercials at the rate of more than five an hour. Most of those commercials are for sugary foods, fast food, and other high-calorie items, each of which can contribute to childhood obesity.

Childhood obesity and excessive weight is a national problem. The National Center for Health Statistics reports that 17 percent of children are overweight. Further, overweight children quite often turn into overweight adults. They have an greater risk for diabetes, heart disease, stroke, arthritis, and certain cancers, among other ailments and diseases. As reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), part of the problem may be that American society has become “obesogenic,”. This is characterized by situations and environments that encourage increased consumption of food, unhealthful foods, and a sedentary lifestyle.

As reported by researchers at the University of California-Davis, who studied the types of food commercials seen by kids who watch English- and Spanish-language TV programs. During high viewing times for children (Saturday mornings and weekday afternoons). Recordings were made of broadcasts on twelve networks, including children’s cable channels, networks that attract older youths, mainstream English-language channels, and the two highest rated Spanish language channels.

An aggregate of 5,724 commercials were taped. Of these, 1,162 were food-related. Children were exposed to an average of 5.2 food related commercials per hour. Of these commercials, more than 70 percent were for unhealthful items (foods with increased sugar and/or increased fat content), which add to childhood obesity. Thirty-four percent of the commercials were for fast-food restaurants and convenience foods.

The greatest percentage of food-related advertisements were seen on children’s networks, where the ads were primarily for sugary cereals and sweets, high-fat foods, fast-food restaurant fare, and snacks. Compared with programming for a generalized audience, children’s TV exposed its viewers to 76 percent more food ads per hour than the other networks. Young people that watch TV on a children’s network during Saturday morning from 7 to 10 AM observe approximately one food commercial every eight minutes.

Older kids continue to be exposed to unhealthful food commercials. The researchers observed programming such as the music videos offered by BET and MTV. They reported that 80 percent of the MTV food advertisements were for fast food restaurants, sugary beverages, and sweets.

The authors of the research, which was published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, indicated that “Study after study has documented the adverse health effects of food advertising targeting children and adolescents.” They went on to say that “School- and family-based programs that have attempted to reduce children’s media use have shown promise.” Yet because youngsters are exposed to food ads via other media, particularly the Internet, the authors propose the introduction of “nutrition-focused media literary interventions” to help young people understand the economic motivations of food advertisers and the ways the industry practices to increase desire for their products. These efforts, and others, may help reduce the growing epidemic of childhood obesity.

Here is your free guide to healthful cooking. For more information about some of the causes of childhood obesity visit Facts About Childhood Obesity.