Simple answer—to sell their products. Children see an estimated 40,000 commercials a year, 10,000 for food products alone. It's no surprise that most of those food ads are for sugar-sweetened beverages and snacks, fast food, and candy. Food companies market their products directly to children who are often too young to understand the sometimes-deceptive tactics they use. Help your children understand that commercials are trying to sell them a product and may not always be completely truthful. And, of course, limit the amount of television your children watch so they are not exposed to so many advertisements for unhealthy food.

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