When I was pregnant, every time a commercial for anything Burger King related came on, I'd turn to my husband and say, "Will you please go get me a Whopper?" I wasn't hungry, but boy did those commercials make me want to eat a food that a minute earlier hadn't even crossed my mind. (Lucky for me, he usually said no, but was happy to fix me a snack.)

Researchers in the UK recently discovered that commercials have a similar affect on children, especially those struggling with obesity. After showing 60 children a series of food commercials and cartoons, researchers monitored their food intake. The results, I think, are stunning. Obese children increased their food intake 134%, overweight children 101%, and children of a normal weight, 84%. The study also found that the higher a child's weight, the more likely they were to choose high fat foods, such as chocolate.

Children in the United States spend an average of 50 hours a year watching TV commercials, the vast majority of which are for unhealthy foods.