The Federal Communications Commission plans to study links between T-V commercials and the rise of childhood obesity.

Senator Sam Brownback was on hand as the FCC announced the new
task force. The Kansas Republican says he's been urging the commission to begin such a study.

Brownback says given the number of food commercials children see daily and the growing obesity rate, the nation is facing a public health problem that demands action.

FCC Chairman Kevin Martin cited reports showing the average child sees about 40-thousand T-V commercials every year -- most of them for cereal, candy, toys and fast food. Martin says young children are unable to weed out the marketing messages from their favorite shows.

Members of the food, television and advertising industries will join the task force along with consumer advocates and health experts.