The Importance Of Childhood Obesity

Children are targeted in these ads they try to draw their attention by making the ads fun, and by using cool phrases. Moss proposes and “He explained how he would deploy strategic storytelling in the ad campaign for his snack, using a key phrase that had been developed with much calculations:” Eat’ Em Like Junk Food’ (494).This proves that ads plays a role in promoting food that are unhealthy and is putting children 's health at risk for obesity. To sum it up, children are exposed to high amount of unhealthy food advertisements which affects young children health and food choices. Therefore, the government needs to intervene and stopping the advertisement of unhealthy eating and start advertising healthier foods.

Apart from the economic and institution driven implications of obesity on the Canadian federal system, the issue of obesity also targets the social circle of Canadian media, culture, values and global reputation. If the federal government does not take an active step in the stop against unhealthy eating, bad life style choices and obesity then the problem will continue to escalate. Public policy can be used to bring awareness to issues that effect and benefit many. There was an important study documented in the European journal of public health that suggests, “one in three obese children might not have been obese in the absence of advertising for unhealthy food on TV. Limiting the exposure of children to marketing of energy-dense food could be part of a broader effort to make children 's diets healthier”(Veerman 1). This shocking statistic is directly linked to the normalization of obesity and an unhealthy diet that the media has continued to promote.

Since the 1970’s the United States has been witness to a growing epidemic of childhood obesity tripling and in some instances quadrupling. Due to this major health concern it is believed that the advertising of unhealthy foods is the cause of childhood obesity in America. Majority of the advertising is done via television, which promotes fast food or “junk food” and is usually low in nutrition and high in sugar and sodium. The Federal Trade Commission, Institute of Medicine, and various health interest groups understand the issue at hand, and have considered taking preventive measures to stop this problem. Understanding the

“A recent examination of the nutritional content of food ads during children’s programming found that 72.5% were for high-calorie, low-nutrient products; 26.6% were for high-fat or high-sugar products: and just 0.9% were for low-calorie, nutrient-rich products” (Powell, Schermbeck). Even web sites promote unhealthy food products which create a bad perception for a healthy lifestyle for kids. Gaming web sites particularly, market poor-nutrient foods targeted for children. Research has shown that food advertising companies have strategized an effective selling plan towards children. Companies rely on features that appeal to children: happy, colorful, vibrant, exciting and fun. There are very little food product advertisements promoting fruits and vegetables. These influences shape children’s nutritional knowledge, eating practices and weight status. All in all television exposure is linked to diet misconceptions. The misconceptions have a domino effect on children’s food preference and choices which then poorly effects children’s unhealthy weight status.

Elaine Kolish, Vice President of the Council of Better Business Bureaus (BBB), discusses the Children’s Food and Beverage Advertising Initiative (CFBAI) that was launched between the bureau and ten leading food companies in the United States. The goal of the initiative is not to eliminate food advertising to children, primarily under the age of twelve, but to advertise products that are more nutrient dense and lower in calories, sugars, sodium, and fats. The CFBAI evaluates how and if such commercials are intended for children in addition to setting criteria as for how to limit these factors. The CFBAI is making efforts to promote and recruit more companies and agencies into exercising their ideas and changing nutrition regulation within the

This article is well written and helps support my argument that there are many more factors influencing childhood obesity, not just marketing. Significant data was provided in this article, specifically the fact that the advertisement rates at which children see food advertisements has actually decreased by percentage since 1977 to 2004. Other equally significant points are made concerning the role of parents as the gatekeepers of product purchases as well as industry self-regulation.

Childhood obesity is a serious issue in the US, according to the CDC. There are many health risks that are associated with childhood obesity. The prevalence of childhood obesity has decreased in the past few years among preschool aged children. According to the CDC, the prevalence of obesity has been consistent at about 17% and affects about 13 million children and teenagers. The prevalence of childhood obesity has been consistently increasing since 1971 in developed countries, like the United States and Canada. Over the past twenty years the prevalence of overweight in children nearly doubled in the United States, and tripled in Canada. Researchers predict that the levels of obesity will continue rising until some type of action is taken. From data that they already found, it’s been predicted that in about twelve years the levels of obesity

Certain consumer behaviors adopted by children affect their mental and physical health. Studies have shown that there is a link between what children see in advertisements and the lifestyle choices they make. Studies also showed that children who viewed advertisements showing healthy eating were more likely to engage in healthy eating habits (Carter and Maria). There are large amounts of advertisements for foods and drinks high in fat and sugar. Many studies show that there is a link between childhood obesity and advertising. There has been a rise in childhood obesity in the past few years and many believe, and have evidence to support, that it is partly because of unregulated advertisements aimed towards children. The health of a child is very important childhood obesity is something to be concerned about. The definition of childhood obesity is: having a body mass index above the normal range for age and sex in children. The definition of childhood obesity may not sound very frightening, but childhood obesity has many detrimental effects and associated diseases and disorders that extend into adulthood (Dill and Moglia). Some of these include: metabolic syndrome, high insulin levels, high blood pressure, abnormal lipid levels, atherosclerosis, high cholesterol, and diabetes. Other than physical syndromes, childhood obesity also affects children mentally. Children with childhood obesity often have poor body image, low self-esteem, social isolation, recurrent anger, clinical

Childhood obesity, a monstrous disease that grabs the attention of its victims so effortlessly, is a frightening concern among many. Childhood obesity is a condition in which a child is extremely overweight for their particular age group. This disease has rapidly increased its victims by luring them in with mouth-watering advertisements, pleasurable menu items and amusement. To cause matters to become increasingly detrimental to their health, technology has been introduced to kids at particularly young ages causing them to become less active or sluggish. When unhealthy food items and lack of physical activity are combined, the child’s chances of health issues increase. Childhood obesity is an immense concern to parents with children who suffer with the disease, however; parents are not investing enough of their time into making substantial strides toward giving their children a healthy and active lifestyle. It is essential that parents allow it to become their leading priority to provide their children with healthy meals, daily exercise and regular visits to their doctor.

“The similar advertising bans already exist in some jurisdictions such as in Quebec (Canada) and few Scandinavian countries” (Dhar, Baylis 7). “Sweden, Norway, and Finland have banned commercial sponsorship of children’s programs. Sweden also does not permit any television advertising targeting children under the age of twelve” (Role of Media). “Quebec’s 32 years ban on advertising to children had led to $88 million annual reduction in expenditures on fast food and 13.4 billion to 18.4 billion fewer fast food calories being consumed per year” (Dhar, Baylis 2-10). Residents of Quebec have a very sedentary life, yet their obesity rate is comparatively lesser than the US. These figures indicate that the sanction on fast food advertisement can prove effective in lowering or curbing fast food consumption in the United States as well. A larger proportion of the US population leads a very active life. An active life combined with the proper and healthy diet may lead to significant reduction in the obesity rates. “Media and entertainment giant Walt Disney Co's has already banned junk food advertisements during its TV, radio and other online programs intended for children under the age of 12” (Heavey).

In today’s society, everyone is familiar with the enjoyable commercials of junk food products that can be seen anywhere on television, and on America’s most anticipated sporting event each year: the Superbowl. However, these advertisements are convincing people to buy into unhealthy food products, which can lead to many health challenges for many people. Many marketing gimmicks are used by companies to appeal to several different social groups, yet children are targeted with food advertisement far more than anyone else. Companies such as Coca Cola and McDonald’s are able to entice millions of people across the world, and all due to how they construct their advertisements. Because of these companies, many people are caused illness and obesity,

According to the National Conference of State Legislature (2014), 17 percent of youth from ages two to 17 are obese, and the figure has nearly tripled in the past 30 years. The total number of both overweight and obese children and adolescents in the nation is 31.7 percent. This high percentage rate puts a strain on health care, therefore increasing

Over the past year political momentum has grown for strong action to tackle childhood obesity and there is an emerging consensus that regulation of food advertising to children is both necessary and achievable. A key factor in this debate has been the publication of the Food Standards Agency 's (FSA) review of research into the link between food promotion and eating behaviour in children, undertaken by Professor Gerard Hastings and colleagues at the University of Strathclyde.2 Though the findings are heavily qualified, the authors conclude that advertising to children does have an adverse effect on food preferences, purchasing behaviour and consumption.

About a third of children in the U.S. are considered overweight or obese, and researchers believe television advertising is a significant contributing factor (4). Exposure to television advertising is basically universal and the ads present foods as desirable and attractive. Children have been shown to be far more receptive to television advertising messages than classroom lessons (3). It leaves a harder lasting impression on them because the food products are presented in a cool, fun way that attracts children. Most of the time, children would pick foods that they may not even like, simply because they think it’s the cool thing to eat and once a kid gets his mind set on what they want, it is very hard to steer them away from wanting it. Television ads for foods geared toward children are usually fun, and bright with animations and lots of cool characters that the children can relate to. This directly influences the child’s food preference and unfortunately most of these ads are for processed, unhealthy food products like cereals, snacks, fast food, and soft drinks. In the U.S., there are few restrictions on food ads, but that's not the case in the U.K., where junk food can't be marketed on children's television (4).

Food advertisements, if focused at the right people and in the right places, are a complete success. These features, some of which are commercials, seduce society into buying food that we necessarily do not need. Many advertisement companies, especially those about food, are directed to children because they know that if you grab the kids you have their parents. While brands are using fun cartoons like “Trix Rabbit” and “Toucan Sam” (Green, 2007, p. 49) supermarkets are taking these items and placing them right in front of the children, at their level, advertising the “Fun foods” (Elliot, 2008, p. 259-273). They do this so the kids will use their, “pester power” (Scholsser, n.d., p. 2) to get what they want. A series of studies have been performed on children and television advertisements. An article states, “These studies have generally linked children's television viewing to negative health effects” (Korr, 2008, p. 451). Amongst these negative effects is a higher level of childhood obesity (p. 451). Similarly, in another study performed by a group of researchers, kids were asked to explain the television commercials that they remembered the best. The answers given were then compared with their diets. Interestingly, the items those children remembered best, chips, sweets, and sodas were a huge part of what they ate (Hitching & Moynihan, 1998, p. 511-517). However, some authors argue that television producer’s, even though their