We were part of a 32-nation study, sponsored by International Consumer Research & Testing and Consumers International, which found several cases in which the sodium and sugar in cereal sold in the U.S. were higher than in the same brands sold overseas. Honey Smacks sold in Germany, Slovenia, and Switzerland had about 40 percent sugar, compared with 55 percent sugar in the U.S. product. Consumers International is calling on the World Health Organization to develop international guidelines that would restrict advertising and marketing of foods high in sugar, fat, or sodium to children.

In the mid-1980s, several products removed the word "sugar" from their name. Sugar Smacks became Honey Smacks, and Super Sugar Crisp became Super Golden Crisp, to name just two. But the levels of sugar in the cereals have remained about the same.

Since then, obesity rates have shot up worldwide. Recent research by the National Academy of Sciences suggests a link between the marketing of sugary, salty, or fatty foods to kids and the rise in childhood obesity and its related health problems.

And if you think eating Frosted Flakes Reduced Sugar can save you calories, think again. The product has 30 percent less sugar than the regular recipe, but it contained 10 more calories per serving than either the regular Frosted Flakes or the fiber-boosted Frosted Flakes Gold, and it finished lower than both in our Ratings (available to subscribers).

Kellogg recently unveiled new, slightly more healthful formulas for Apple Jacks, Cocoa Krispies, Corn Pops, Froot Loops, and Rice Krispies. Apple Jacks gets the biggest sugar reduction, dropping from 15 to 12 grams. But most of those products remain at the bottom of our Ratings.