Extent of the problem

The Stop Marketing to Kids Coalition

Tell food and beverage companies our kids are not their business

“Marketing is just washing over this country like a tidal wave, and we’re trying to give people swimming lessons.”

–Dr. Kelly D. Brownell, University of Connecticut, Rudd Center

Screenshot source: Image from Smurfs 2

In 2009 alone, food and beverage companies spent about $1.79 billion in the US on marketing to children and teens.
We don’t have access to this stat for Canada as our governments don’t require companies to report on their marketing to kids expenditures, and companies haven’t disclosed this information.
90% of products advertised during children’s TV programming are high in sugar, salt or fat.
In a 13-country comparison, Canada had the third-highest proportion of unhealthy food marketing to children on television.
Canadian children and teens’ specialty TV channels stream as many as five food and beverage ads per station per hour. This means that a child or teenager, watching two hours of TV per day, is likely to be exposed to 3,600 ads each year from TV alone!
The foods most heavily advertised to children on specialty TV channels are fast food, candy and chocolate, cakes, cookies and ice cream.
The foods most advertised to teens on specialty channels include juices, soft drinks and sports drinks, fast food, and candy and chocolate.