Healthy food, lifestyle ads outweigh junk, Grocery Manufacturers Association says

WASHINGTON More than two-thirds of advertisements that children and teenagers see today promote healthy lifestyles and nutritious foods, the Grocery Manufacturers Association said Wednesday in response to a report by the Center for Science in the Public Interest on food and beverage advertising to kids.

The CSPI released a “report card” Wednesday blaming food marketing for increases in poor diets and obesity among children, noting that the marketing was “primarily” for sugary cereals, fast food, snack foods and candy.

“Obesity is one of the nation’s most serious public health challenges, and our industry has significantly changed the way we develop and market our products to provide more healthy choices and to help consumers build a healthy diet,” GMA VP federal affairs Scott Faber said in response to the CSPI report.

The GMA also pointed out a recent Georgetown Economic Services study showing that advertisements for food, beverages and restaurants during children’s television programming fell by 31% between 2004 and 2008.