Mass Media and Obesity Essay Example

McDonald's specifically targets children with its advertising, despite the negative effects of consuming their unhealthy food. This can be seen in the alarming rise of obesity among American children aged 6 to 11, which has multiplied about five times since the 1970s (Hyunjae, 87).

In the future, children may face significant health problems as a result of being overweight or obese. Henderson states that these children are at a higher risk of developing additional conditions like type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease, and endocrine and orthopedic disorders. This emphasizes the alarming state of children's health. To address this issue, certain steps should be taken. Parents must prioritize their parenting approach and closely observe their children's dietary habits. The media plays a major role in influencing many kids' food preferences.

Children in the United States spend about four hours a day watching television, and this significant amount of time has been associated with higher rates of overweight and obesity. Studies suggest that excessive TV viewing replaces physical activity, leading to reduced energy expenditure compared to intake, ultimately resulting in obesity (Jenvey). As a result, children have limited opportunities for exercise due to their TV-watching habits.

According to Hyunjae (87), parental influence is crucial in preventing children from engaging in undesirable behaviors. Parents spend more time with their children than anyone else, making their role significant. Therefore, it is important for parents to encourage physical activities and limit the time spent on television or video games. This is because children often perceive everything shown on TV as true and can be easily deceived, particularly by advertisements. Due to their limited understanding and judgment, they

tend to take everything seriously.

Hyunjae (87) emphasizes the significance of parents in educating their children about the deceptive nature of television advertisements and the importance of not trusting them. The manner in which parents communicate has a profound impact on children's obesity rates and their attitudes towards unhealthy food ads on TV, as parents possess a greater comprehension of nutritional information. Restricting children's TV viewing time is essential due to the adverse effects that ads can have. It should be noted that there exist diverse types of advertisements.

Children exposed to television are constantly bombarded with advertisements, particularly for unhealthy food options such as candy, snacks, sugared cereal, fast food, sodas, and soft drinks. Roughly 34% of these ads specifically promote candy and snacks, contributing to children's increased desire for these products (Policy Statement, 202). Companies spend billions on advertising across various media platforms in order to sell their products. Instead of allocating such significant funds towards advertising, this money could be better utilized in education. However, companies prioritize potential earnings above all else. According to Henderson (191), US companies allocate billions towards fast food and food beverage and confectionary ads. An additional substantial amount is dedicated solely to promoting the top five soda brands. Ultimately, advertisements play a crucial role in helping these companies achieve their financial goals.

The high earnings of advertisers are due to the large number of children who watch TV and are attracted to the advertisements, creating a desire for the products being advertised. According to a Policy Statement from 203, young people see an average of 12 to 21 food ads daily, totaling 4400 to

7600 ads per year. Interestingly, they encounter less than 165 ads promoting fitness or good nutrition. These many advertisements not only have a significant impact on children but also influence the dietary choices made by their families as a whole. This is important because research shows that children not only determine what food they consume but also shape the food preferences of their entire family (Hyunjae, 89).

The power of children within families has increased, resulting in parents being influenced by their children to meet their wants. Medical experts are alarmed by the fact that over 16% of children and teenagers in the United States are obese, a concerning statistic. These professionals assert that advertisements, particularly fast food commercials on television, play a significant role in the rise of childhood obesity.

The connection between children's eating habits, food consumption, and health issues like obesity, diabetes, cancers, hypertension, and coronary heart disease (Arnas) is direct. These health problems can have severe consequences in the future. Taking preventive measures is crucial since children are the future of our world. Based on a study, simply prohibiting fast food advertisements on TV could potentially lead to a 17 percent decrease in cases of obesity and overweight (Ban Fast Food Ads on TV). This potential reduction in the obesity rate is significant. If proven true, it would be advisable for the government to consider implementing a ban on fast food ads.

The goal of fast food industries is to enhance consumer awareness through their advertising. Although banning these advertisements is unlikely, individuals have the option to decide whether or not to purchase these products. It is important

to recognize that media alone is not accountable for childhood obesity, and there are alternative approaches to decrease obesity rates. According to Jenvey, young children's susceptibility to persuasive ads promoting unhealthy foods is influenced by their cognitive immaturity.

It is crucial to teach children about healthy foods, the significance of making good dietary decisions, and the advantages of an active lifestyle that includes sports and exercise. One approach to decrease childhood obesity rates is by reducing the quantity of TV advertisements that promote fast food, although there are no guarantees. According to Dayna M. Maniccia from New York's University at Albany, parents should be positive role models for their kids by limiting both their own and their children's television viewing.

Teaching children about developing healthy habits can greatly affect them as they will eventually have to make their own decisions. In our modern society, individuals are guided by their instincts and faced with clear choices of accepting or rejecting something. Although outside influences may test these instincts, ultimately each person's decisions come from within themselves. However, these external factors have the ability to exert a significant impact. The advertising industry, specifically relating to fast food companies, holds considerable power and spends billions of dollars on marketing strategies annually.

Companies should acknowledge the inefficiency of their marketing strategies, as shown by reduced spending. They have been criticized for shaping children's views and encouraging reliance on their unhealthy food items. Yet, insufficient knowledge about healthy options also contributes to the obesity crisis. Fast food companies, especially when targeting children with extensive advertising and commercials, are achieving success.

Despite the attractive cartoons and toys,

advertisements that promote unhealthy foods pose a threat to children. Adults are conscious of the fact that these products contain high levels of calories and sugar, which can negatively impact their health. The increase in childhood obesity is attributed to a lack of understanding regarding healthier options. Parents, as primary influencers, hold the responsibility of setting boundaries for their children. However, some parents may not be aware of the harmful consequences associated with excessive TV watching in their children.

Parents often face the challenge of their children being exposed to advertisements for fast food and unhealthy snacks, which can lead to pressure to buy nutritionally deficient products. It is important for parents to take responsibility for their children's health and resist giving in easily. Why would parents want their children to become obese? While persuading them to adopt a healthy diet may not be effective, gradually showing the long-term consequences of consuming these advertised unhealthy foods could change their perspective.