The Australian Communications and Media Authority has advised against banning junk food advertising aimed at children in a decision condemned by health groups.

The communications watchdog issued its draft standards for children's television yesterday.

Chairman Chris Chapman said the authority would not recommend ''general restrictions'' on food and beverage advertising to children at this stage.

''ACMA is not a health advisory body. Therefore, in assessing whether or not a ban on food and beverage advertising would have an impact on childhood obesity, ACMA commissioned an independent review of research on the issue,'' he said.

''The research does indicate that there is a relationship between advertising and children's food and beverage preferences and requests. It also indicates a relationship between television viewing as distinct from television advertising specifically and obesity in children.

''However, existing research does not clearly demonstrate a causal relationship between any of these factors and obesity, indeed only a modest association is apparent.''

Coalition on Food Advertising to Children chairwoman Kathy Chapman condemned the report.

''Banning junk food commercials from being screened when high numbers of children watch television will make a difference,'' Ms Chapman, who is a nutritionist, said.

''Reducing the marketing of fatty, sugary and salty foods to children is an important step in tackling obesity and ensuring messages promoting healthy eating are heard.

''Obesity can increase a young person's risk of developing cancer and other chronic diseases in later life. In spite of ACMA's claims, there is little doubt that junk food commercials are contributing to the obesity epidemic by encouraging pester power.''

Australian Food and Grocery Council chief executive Kate Carnell welcomed the report.

''Whilst a well-informed debate about the potential impact of food advertising during children's programming is important, evidence to support advertising bans as a solution to childhood obesitydoes not stack up. ACMA's report reflects this,'' Ms Carnellsaid.

''Childhood obesity is not unique to Australia, and governments around the world that have tried to restrict advertising to children have found that it does little to solve the problem.

The media authority has called for comments on the draft report by October 17 and expects to finalise the new children's television standards in early 2009.