By Anne Marie Petersen, News Channel 3 Producer
apetersen@kesq.com

KESQ.COM NEWS SERVICES CONTRIBUTED TO THIS REPORT

"Trix are for kids," right? And, everyone goes "coo-coo for cocoa puffs." These are just two of many popular slogans for children's cereal.

Now, a new report out of Yale University is giving parents the option to see where these and other cereals stand when it comes to nutrition.

The focus of the study wasn't so much on nutrition but rather on how the cereal is marketed.

It comes just a week after the Food and Drug Administration announced it's own investigation into a marketing campaign by some of the cereal manufacturers promising that their cereals are healthy. (To read that report, "As Seen on KESQ: FDA Food Labels," click here).

The report shows that the average American preschooler sees 642 cereal ads per year. And, the cereals geared speficially towards children have 85% more sugar, 65% less fiber, and 60% more sodium than those aimed at adults and families.

Kelly Brownwell is the study's author. He says, "There are ways to train kids to eat healthier food, it's all about what they're exposed to."

The cereal makers are coming out against the report.

"I don't know how they came to [the] conclusion that they are the least nutritional prodcts," said Elaine Kolish, a cereal maker spokeswoman. "Children's cereals that are advertised in our program are low in calories."

The Yale University report also reveals cereal companies spend nearly $156 million dollars a year in marketing to children. It's not just television commercials, but the Internet, online games, social media, the packaging, and in-store promotions.

To visit the study's user-friendly report and check out cereals, visit www.cerealfacts.org.