Do Fast Food Commercials Really Contribute to Obesity?

Studies have shown that fast food commercial actually do lead to childhood obesity. Some think that if the commercials were banned from childrens television programs, the ammount of obesity would drop. But obese children tend to spend more time in front of the television than other kids. About one-third of the children in America are obese and children are spending more time in front of the television instead of playing outside.

Do TV ads lead to childhood obesity? Economists say yes

Seattle - The more fast-food advertising viewed on TV, the higher the risk of childhood obesity, concludes a study published in the Journal of Law and Economics’ current issue.

If fast food commercials were banned during children’s television shows, the number of overweight or obese children would decrease 18% and overweight teens would decrease 14%, say the study’s lead authors, Lehigh College economist Shin yi Chou and Georgia State University economist Inas Rashad. More...