The FTC report reveals that the major US food companies spent over $1.6 billion on product advertisements directed at children.  Approximately $492 million was devoted to soda advertising alone.

The FTC based their estimate on the reported expenditures of 44 companies, and covered the largest producers of fast foods, soft drinks, cereals and snack foods.

According to the US Dept. of Health and Human Services:

…data from two National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) (1976-1980 and 2003-2004) show that prevalence of childhood overweight is increasing.  For children aged 2-5 years, the prevalence increased from 5.0 percent to 13.9 percent; for those aged 6-11 years, prevalence increased from 6.5 percent to 18.8 percent; and for those aged 12-19 years, prevalence increased from 5.0 percent to 17.4 percent.

Can you imagine the impact, if a comparable amount of money was spent on promoting veggies, fruits and other healthier foods?