American Academy of Pediatrics Says Advertising at the Roots of Kids Ills

The American Academy of Pediatrics wants Congress to take action to stem what it calls a rising tide of advertising targeting kids. In a policy outlined in the group's magazine, Pediatrics, that was released this week it says childhood obesity, anorexia, early sexual behavior and drinking are all the result of the 40,000 television ads per year kids are exposed to, plus Internet, print and radio messages.

The doctors say that ads for alcohol make drinking appear cool. They want Congress to mandate that television ads for beer, wine and spirits be limited to just showing product shots without the use of cartoon characters or people.

The group also wants the government to cut the amount of commercial time on kids programs to no more than six minutes per hour, which is about half of current levels.