Disney joins the fight against childhood obesity.

Byline: Brooks Barnes

To restrict junk food ads on child-focused TV channels, radio stations and Web sites

T he Walt Disney Co, in an effort to address concerns about entertainment's role in childhood obesity, is announcing that all products advertised on its child-focused television channels, radio stations and Web sites must comply with a strict new set of nutritional standards.

The restrictions on ads extend to Saturday-morning cartoons on ABC stations owned by Disney. Under the new rules, products such as Capri Sun drinks and Kraft Lunchables meals a both current Disney advertisers a along with a wide range of candy, sugared cereal and fast food, will no longer be acceptable advertising material.

The initiative, which Disney plans to detail at a Washington news conference with the first lady, Michelle Obama, stretches into other areas. For instance, Disney will reduce the amount of sodium by 25 per cent in the 12 million children's meals served annually at its theme parks, and create what it calls fun …