• Associated Press via CTV, Tuesday, December 5, 2006 11:15 AM

Some advertising contributes to many problems kids face, from obesity to anorexia to having sex too soon--and Congress should crack down on it, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.

The medical group has issued a new policy statement in response to what it sees as a rising tide of advertising aimed at children and suggestions to limit ads.

"Young people view more than 40,000 ads per year on television alone and increasingly are being exposed to advertising on the Internet, in magazines and in schools," reads the statement.

Examples cited include TV spots for sugary breakfast cereals and high- calorie snacks shown during children's programs, along with ads for Viagra and other erectile dysfunction drugs shown during sports events. The policy is also critical of alcohol ads that feature cartoon characters; fast-food ads on educational TV shown in schools; magazine ads with stick-thin models and toys and other product "tie-ins" between popular movie characters and fast-food restaurants.

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