Children consume almost 40 hours of media a week and see 20,000 commercials a year. Over the past ten years, childhood obesity has become a major public health problem. Forty percent of fifth grade girls report dieting. Discontent about body image correlates to how often girls read fashion magazines. The most frequently advertised and best-selling toys are linked to media.
Children play less creatively with media-linked toys.
The United States regulates advertising to children less than most other democratic nations.