As the weather turns colder my kids are spending more and more time indoors. That includes being able to watch some of their favorite tv shows, like Avatar on Nickelodeon.

Favorite shows are fun, but I'm so tired of the junk food marketing that comes into my home with them. And it's not just on the tv; our kids are bombarded with marketing for junk food everywhere they turn.

*Join me and thousands of parents across the US in asking Nickelodeon to back parents up, and stop pushing junk food on our kids. 

Here's why it's such a big deal for us to speak out: 

• 2/3 of food ads on Nickelodeon are for junk, according to a recent study. Ouch, right? 
• Companies spend almost $2 billion a year advertising food to kids, according to the Federal Trade Commission. 
• Most kids can't even tell the difference between ads and programming, and/or the persuasive intent of advertising, according to the American Psychological Association.
• The stakes are so high. Almost 1 in 3 young people is at risk for nutrition-related diseases like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. 

Change is possible! Other leading networks like Disney and the Cartoon Network have already implemented marketing standards for child-directed media. Indeed Nickelodeon has been making some progress, but with 2/3 of food ads still pushing junk there's still a long way to go.   

Urge Nickelodeon to back parents up when it comes to protecting the health of our kids, and adopt standards around marketing to kids.

Let’s be clear: Parents can’t just "turn off the TV” to deal with this issue. Junk food is advertised to kids everywhere - not just on TV. Marketers target kids through ads on buses, smart phones, video games, billboards on playgrounds and near schools, the radio, the Internet, the supermarket and more. Ever notice the character your child loves on a box of junk food, displayed at eye-level for a child? It's like a full frontal assault.

Companies know parents can't be everywhere. They also know exactly when, where and how to access the eyes and ears of children. That’s why we need strong standards for marketing to kids.

Don't forget to sign on to ask Nickelodeon to help parents out and stop marketing junk food to children.

We're on a roll when it comes to building healthy communities for our kids. In recent years, major restaurant chains like Burger King, Wendy’s, iHop and Applebee’s have taken soda out of kid’s meals as the default option. And the food and beverage industry’s own self-regulatory body, the Corporate Food and Beverage Advertising Initiative (CFBAI), has recommended measures that protect kids from aggressive marketing. This is all great news for families. Let's keep the momentum going! 

Please post this action link on your social media pages, like Facebook and Twitter, and also forward it around to friends and family.  The more of us who sign on, the bigger the impact we’ll have together because moms are primary consumers in our consumer-fueled economy.  Together we have had a big impact — and we can have an even bigger impact. http://moms.ly/NickJunk

Thank you. Together we are a strong voice for healthy kids and families.

Like what we're doing? Donate: We're a bootstrap, low overhead, mom run organization. Your donations make the work of MomsRising.org possible--and we deeply appreciate your support. Every little bit counts. Donate today on our new, secure website.

On Facebook? Become a Fan.  Follow us on Twitter.

What should MomsRising tackle next? Tell us what's on your mind.