The Effects Of Advertising On Childhood Obesity Essay

The advertisement industry has come a long way over the years. Television ad s used to be based primarily on newspapers and magazines but with the occurrence of growing technology, has moved on to things such as radio, television and the internet. In this day and age, advertisement techniques can be considered almost predatory in nature targeting people who are interested in new forms of technology, gaming, clothing and even food. It has become easier for a products influence to make its way into people s homes. Even though television advertisements can be incredibly powerful tools, they cannot be held entirely accountable for childhood obesity because other factors may affect the childhood obesity epidemic, such as household environment, psychological issues, sleep disturbances or even actions taken by the mother while she was pregnant. Parents or guardians have a responsibility to control what the children in their care are consuming. According to Amanda L. Willette (2007), Where have all the parents gone? Do efforts to regulate food advertising to curb childhood obesity pass constitutional muster?, â€Å"If a parent shapes the way their child eats from the beginning of life and makes healthy food choices for the child, it will become second nature† (p. 14). This statement holds true regardless of what kind of television programming a child is watching. When dealing with underage children, who do not have decision-making abilities in a household, the purchasingShow MoreRelatedChildhood Obesity And Its Effects On Children1188 Words   |  5 Pageslink 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 soundRead MoreChildhood Obesity : A Developing Problem1197 Words   |  5 PagesObesity in America is a developing problem, and not just in adults. Today, one in three American children and teens are either overweight or obese; almost triple the rate previously in 1963. Child obesity has expeditiously become one of the most genuine health challenges of the 21st century (â€Å"10 Surprising Facts About Childhood Obesity†). Physical inactivity, race, junk food in schools, the mass media, and the child’s parents flaws are all factors that have resulted in the prevalence of childhoodRead MoreThe Intervention Of The Food And Beverage Markets Should Be Motivated By The Health Crisis Of Childhood Obesity1450 Words   |  6 Pagesof childhood obe sity combined with market failures that have contributed to the problem. In this case, consumers might not make informed decision, resulting in higher weight outcomes. There are several policy alternatives which may change environment of food consumption and reduce obesity. Taxes and subsidies Adding a high tax on unhealthy food and beverages and decreasing costs of vegetates and fruits may help improve their balance of nutrition intake and slow the rising rates of childhood obesityRead MoreThe Effects Of Technology On Childhood Obesity983 Words   |  4 PagesThe effects technology has on childhood obesity Twenty five percent of children in the US are overweight and a shocking eleven percent of them are obese (Dehghan, Akhtar-Danesh and Merchant). Child hood obesity is a forerunner to one of the United States greatest public health crisis. The growth of technology has had a major impact on childhood obesity. Obesity is a widespread epidemic and is getting incredibly worse as technology increases. The use of technology relates directly with childhood obesityRead MoreThe Correlation Between Television Advertising And Obesity1508 Words   |  7 PagesINTRODUCTION The increased prevalence of child obesity has served as momentum for research to determine the nature, dimensions and significance of the relationship between Television advertising and obesity. This issue has raised major debates among policy makers, academicians, the public and even marketers themselves. The most commonly used measure of obesity is the Body Mass Index (BMI) and it is calculated by dividing the weight by the square of individual’s height. The Hasting’s review (2003)Read MoreThe Epidemic Of Childhood Obesity1216 Words   |  5 Pagesintervening in order to combat the epidemic of childhood obesity claim that, â€Å"parents who strive to keep their kids healthy may not have all the tools they need to do so† (â€Å"Childhood Obesity.† Issues Controversies). Therefore supporters agree that the government â€Å"should step in and enable parents to do the best job they can† (â€Å"Childhood Obesity.† Issues Controversies). Joe Thompson, â€Å"director of the Rober Wood Foundation Center to prevent Childhood Obesity† claims that not all parents are able toRead MoreHealthy Choices for Better Living Essay1588 Words   |  7 PagesDoes the media truly influence and play and key role in childhood obesity? Can we hold the media responsible for our food purchases and meals that we as a society choose to provide our children? Certainly there are a multitude of influences in the media and yes, they are geared toward our children. Commercials ran during children’s programming appeal to our youth with catchy jingles, bright colors and actors promoting these products that portray popular characters on our children’s favorite showsRead MoreThe Link Between Food Promotion And Eating Behavior1642 Words   |  7 Pagestackle 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 th e 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 childrenRead MoreChildhood Obesity And Its Effects1551 Words   |  7 PagesChildhood obesity has become an epidemic in our nation. Currently, more than one in six American children is obese, which is three times the rate as that of the 1970s [1]. Obesity contributes significantly to cardiovascular disease, different types of cancers, as well as diabetes. About 70% of obese children/adolescents have at least one risk factor for heart disease, such as hyperlipidemia and hypertension, and almost 40% of obese youths have at least two additional risk factors. Increase in ratesRead MoreObesity : Obesity And Obesity1637 Words   |  7 Pagesincrease in rates of childhood and ad olescent obesity, the health impacts this can have on a child immediately and in the future, and what are the contributing factors to this increase in obese youths. A possible contributing factor is food advertisements that contain poor-nutrient food and are targeted at children. Children and adolescents are constantly exposed to various advertisements on a daily basis. Many studies have suggested that there would be an overall reduction in obesity and overweight rates