FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Maria Bailey (954) 261-2145

Mom Weigh in on Child Obesity Debate
"Stop Marketing Unhealthy Foods to My Children!"

Survey of 2063 Moms Reveals How Moms Feel About Marketing Foods to Kids, Child Obesity and Feeding Their Families on the Go

Ft. Lauderdale, FL - (January 3, 2006) US mothers believe that child obesity is an epidemic today and applaud the media for giving this important issue its attention. Additionally, they are weighing in on the debate between the Institute of Medicine and the American Advertising Federation regarding marketing unhealthy foods to their children. According to an online poll of over 2000 mothers, 67% of moms say that although ads have some influence on their children, they ultimately make the buying decisions for the family. The survey conducted by BSM Media, the Marketing to Mom firm headed by Maria Bailey, author of "Marketing to Moms: Getting Your Share of the Trillion Dollar Marketing and "Trillion Dollar Moms: Marketing to a New Generation of Mothers." Bailey set out to gather the attitudes and opinions of mothers on feeding their families. Moms were asked about obesity, food marketing, new healthier food choices offered by fast food restaurants and ultimately feeding their families healthy meals on the go.

Research Highlights

• 86% of moms feel that teaching good eating habits to their children is one of the top lessons they can teach
• 95% of moms believe there is a child obesity epidemic
• 54% of mothers want companies to help them teach their children good eating habits
• 88% of moms do not want companies marketing unhealthy foods to their children
• 58% of moms say they are going to feed their family what they want regardless of marketing messages
• 40% of moms get nutritional information from product packaging and labels.

"Food marketers need to recognize that although they target children, it's moms who control the household purse and moms want their help in teaching their children how to choose healthy foods," says Maria Bailey, mother of four and CEO of BSM Media. "It's time to shift the billions spent on marketing foods to children and focus on the gatekeeper with healthier choices and solutions for eating healthier while on the run."

Additional Key Findings

• 62% of moms admit that they don't always have time to feed their families healthy foods
• 88% of mothers want restaurants to offer healthy choices for their family
• 77% of mothers are more likely to choose a restaurant that offers healthy foods on the menu
• 67% of moms say that adding more fruits and vegetables to their family's diet is extremely important
• Moms consider popcorn and nuts to be the healthiest snack foods for their children other than fruits and vegetables
• 81% of moms will spend more healthy food choices

Brands that earn Mom's praise for offering healthy snacks for kids

1. Kaishi
2. Quaker Oats
3. Nabisco
4. Mott's
5. Kraft

Brands that earn a frown from Moms for offering unhealthy foods to her children

1. McDonald's
2. Kellogg's
3. Hostess
4. Any Candy Company
5. Frito Lays

Research was conducted online from November 20 - December 20, 2005 and includes the opinions of 2063 mothers across the US. A complete report of results is available by email: Valika@bsmmedia.com.

BSM Media is the leading Marketing to Moms firm created by Maria Bailey, author of "Marketing to Moms: Getting Your Share of the Trillion Dollar Market" and "Trillion Dollar Moms: Marketing to a new Generation of Mothers" (Dearborn, 2005). Maria Bailey is also host of Mom Talk Radio, a weekly radio show designed exclusively for busy moms. She has been featured in the New York Times, Women's Day, Wall Street Journal and on WABC-NY, WNBC-NY, CNN and many other media outlets.

For a full media kit and press materials, please contact Maria Bailey at (954) 261-2145 or email: Maria@bluesuitmom.com.