Tulsa World: Yale study doesn't sugar-coat criticism of cereal for children

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Yale study doesn't sugar-coat criticism of cereal for children
Oklahoma parents agree that the marketing aimed at kids is powerful.

By SONYA COLBERG NewsOK.com
Published: 10/27/2009 2:25 AM
Last Modified: 10/27/2009 4:41 AM

OKLAHOMA CITY — Whether they rely on a lop-eared rabbit or a smiling leprechaun, ads for some of the most sugary cereals for children get the biggest push on television, according to a new Yale University study.

Cereals marketed to children have 85 percent more sugar and 60 percent more sodium than cereals marketed to adults, researchers found.

"The total amount of breakfast cereal marketing to children on television and computer screens, and at their eye-level in stores, combined with the appalling nutrient profile of the cereals most frequently marketed, is staggering," said Jennifer Harris, the lead researcher at Yale's Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity.

The study of cereal nutrition and marketing found that preschool children see an average of 642 ads each year. And most are for the cereals with the worst health ratings, cereals such as Reese's Puffs, Cocoa Puffs and Lucky Charms. Those cereals contain 41 percent, 44 percent and 41 percent sugar, respectively.

Click here to read the complete article at NewsOK.com.

scolberg@opubco.com

By SONYA COLBERG NewsOK.com

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	Report Comment Elusive, the burbs (10/27/2009 3:25:58 AM) Wow, they just figured this out? I should have received my hononary Yale degree years ago.
	Report Comment AllSmiles, Sperry (10/27/2009 10:13:35 AM) Thats funny!! Who would of guessed??
	Report Comment Groove Monster, San Antonio (10/27/2009 10:18:08 AM) Guess these researchers never got to sit around as a kid on a Saturday morning wrapped up in a blanket eating cereal and watching cartoons. My kids get to eat some "sugary" cereals, but they don't eat it everyday. What's the problem with letting our kids share in something so many of us enjoyed as a kid?
	Report Comment forkandknife, Tulsa (10/27/2009 10:44:15 AM) Okay.
	Report Comment Aggie, (10/27/2009 11:02:33 AM) Oh, please! When will all these busybodies just shut up! I wonder how the world survived before we had all these lifestyle nannies telling us what to do every minute.
	Report Comment lucky girl, mine (10/27/2009 1:33:40 PM) They make it for us then they try to scare us from it....crazy. If you like it, eat it, if not then do what Aggie said and shut up!
	Report Comment midtownmom, (10/27/2009 2:00:47 PM) I never let my kids eat those cereals on a regular basis anyway. It's gross food. It makes them hyper and then they crash...treats are treats and shouldn't be a part of anyone's regular diet.
	Report Comment Arbythree, Tulsa (10/27/2009 2:02:59 PM) Treats are treats.....had to Snicker at that one.
	Report Comment midtownmom, (10/27/2009 2:17:26 PM) They are treats! The amount of sugar in those cereals compare to the amount in candy bars and sodas. It's no wonder that diabetes and obesity is rampant in Tulsa. People eat badly around these parts.
	Report Comment Arbythree, Tulsa (10/27/2009 2:21:32 PM) midtownmom. I was joking. Kidding. Like Snicker, as in candy bar. sr71v3, the orange pixie sticks are fine for breakfast.
	Report Comment lucky girl, mine (10/27/2009 2:22:42 PM) Building a mountain out of a mounds bar?
	Report Comment Arbythree, Tulsa (10/27/2009 2:24:29 PM) Sometimes I feel like a nut.......sometimes I don't.
	Report Comment lucky girl, mine (10/27/2009 2:36:23 PM) I'll take a milky way please
	Report Comment Arbythree, Tulsa (10/27/2009 2:41:02 PM) I want real gummie bears.
	Report Comment lucky girl, mine (10/27/2009 2:43:34 PM) Ok..Candy Corn...makes my heart sing
	Report Comment PatienceFound, Tulsa (10/27/2009 2:44:46 PM) At some point "they" will produce a study indicating that broccoli is bad for us. I say don't worry about it. Eat up and then go play! MidTownMom: Nutrition is only part of the issue related to youth obesity and diabetes; lack of exercise and real playtime is equally if not more of a factor.
	Report Comment Arbythree, Tulsa (10/27/2009 2:44:54 PM) What does a Hershey's Kiss do for you?
	Report Comment Arbythree, Tulsa (10/27/2009 2:45:27 PM) Corn is the worst Patience.
	Report Comment lucky girl, mine (10/27/2009 2:48:18 PM) I'm already smiling. the rasberry Hershey Kisses...they are the best!
	Report Comment lucky girl, mine (10/27/2009 2:50:32 PM) Fresh candy is the best
	Report Comment Arbythree, Tulsa (10/27/2009 2:52:37 PM) No Justun, but it just made me realize that midtownmom may be a CEREAL Killer.
	Report Comment lucky girl, mine (10/27/2009 2:58:48 PM) LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL really...cereal killer...you're killing me.
	Report Comment Arbythree, Tulsa (10/27/2009 3:01:58 PM) No Justun, Trix are for kids.
	Report Comment Arbythree, Tulsa (10/27/2009 3:05:08 PM) More like koo koo for Cocoa Puffs.
	Report Comment Arbythree, Tulsa (10/27/2009 3:15:07 PM) Good one Justin. Lol.

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