Do You Know What Your Kids Are Eating?

Most of us are guilty of enjoying the greasy goodness of a Whopper with fries. And most of us have also noticed that our kids seem to enjoy fast food as well. And this may not be a coincidence. A new study from Yale University shows that our youngest solid food eaters are being inundated with fast food ads which may impact their eating habits later in life.

From the LA Times:

In 2009 preschoolers saw 56% more ads for Subway, 21% more ads for McDonald's and 9% more ads for Burger King, compared with 2007. Children age 6 to 11 saw even more: 59% more ads for Subway, 26% more for McDonald's and 10% more for Burger King.

The report also found that African American kids and teens are exposed to at least 50% more fast food ads than their white counterparts.
The report is also critical of how some fast food restaurants don't make healthful options more obvious. It found that although most establishments have at least one nourishing side dish and beverage for their children's meals, these are hardly ever offered as an alternate choice. And despite advertisements that show healthful options, the report finds that French fries are served with kids' meals 86% of the time, and soft drinks at least 55% of the time.

But this trend may change if other major cities follow San Francisco's lead:

Last week the board of supervisors in San Francisco voted to ban Happy Meals and similar restaurant items that come with a toy and have disproportionate amounts of fat, calories and sodium. Another vote may be necessary to make the ban final.