Does Advertising Unhealthy Food to Children in America Cause Obesity?
Does Advertising Unhealthy Food to Children in America Cause Obesity?
Executive Summary
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 laws and regulations, as well as the consequences of advertising unhealthy food towards children may shed some light on this grown problem of childhood obesity in the United States
Does Advertising Unhealthy Food to Children in America Cause Obesity?
Introduction The problem of obesity is a huge problem in America, but what is even more of a problem is the alarming rate of childhood obesity. Over the years reports have show that our children’s weight has tripled, and in some cases quadrupled. As stated in a journal by Desrochers and Holt (2007) “In ten years from 1994 to 2004, overweight increase from 7.2% to 13.9% among children aged 2 to 5, from 11% to 19% among children aged 6 to 11, and from 11% to 17% among adolescents aged 12 to 19” (p. 1). The issue is clear, but the cause of this is still uncertain.
Since the increase of obesity, children have been targeted in numerous food advertisement techniques, such as television, magazine, internet, covert advertising (i.e. advertising in movies), and celebrity or character advertising. Character advertising is a popular marketing tactic using cartoon characters to promote the product in commercials or is featured on the cover of the package. This is one
Executive Summary
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 laws and regulations, as well as the consequences of advertising unhealthy food towards children may shed some light on this grown problem of childhood obesity in the United States
Does Advertising Unhealthy Food to Children in America Cause Obesity?
Introduction The problem of obesity is a huge problem in America, but what is even more of a problem is the alarming rate of childhood obesity. Over the years reports have show that our children’s weight has tripled, and in some cases quadrupled. As stated in a journal by Desrochers and Holt (2007) “In ten years from 1994 to 2004, overweight increase from 7.2% to 13.9% among children aged 2 to 5, from 11% to 19% among children aged 6 to 11, and from 11% to 17% among adolescents aged 12 to 19” (p. 1). The issue is clear, but the cause of this is still uncertain.
Since the increase of obesity, children have been targeted in numerous food advertisement techniques, such as television, magazine, internet, covert advertising (i.e. advertising in movies), and celebrity or character advertising. Character advertising is a popular marketing tactic using cartoon characters to promote the product in commercials or is featured on the cover of the package. This is one