Download The childhood obesity epidemic is a serious public health problem

The childhood obesity epidemic is a serious public health problem that
increases morbidity, mortality, and has substantial long-term economic and social
costs. The rates of obesity in America’s children and youth have almost tripled in
the last quarter century. Approximately 20% of our youth are now overweight with
obesity rates in preschool age children increasing at alarming speed. According
to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the prevalence of obesity has
more than doubled among children ages 2 to 5 (5.0% to 12.4%) and ages 6 to 11
(6.5% to 17.0%). In teen’s ages 12 to 19, prevalence rates have tripled (5.0% to
17.6%). Obesity in childhood places children and youth at risk for becoming
obese as adults and associated poor health such as diabetes, cardiovascular
disease, and some forms of cancer. Prevention efforts must focus on reducing
excess weight gain as children grow up.
Today’s children, ages 8 to 18, consume multiple types of media (often
simultaneously) and spend more time (44.5 hours per week) in front of computer,
television, and game screens than any other activity in their lives except
sleeping. Research has found strong associations between increases in
advertising for non-nutritious foods and rates of childhood obesity. Most children
under age 6 cannot distinguish between programming and advertising and
children under age 8 do not understand the persuasive intent of advertising.
Advertising directed at children this young is by its very nature exploitative.
Children have a remarkable ability to recall content from the ads to which they
have been exposed. Product preference has been shown to occur with as little as
a single commercial exposure and to strengthen with repeated exposures.
Product preferences affect children's product purchase requests and these
requests influence parents' purchasing decisions.
The Blame Game:
It's tempting to blame big food companies for America's big obesity
problem. After all, they're the folks who supersized our fries, family-portioned our
potato chips and Big Gulped our sodas.
On the other hand Companies have tried to help people make better
choices, offering healthier products and more nutrition data. But people can't be
forced to make the right choice, can they? Personal responsibility also falters
when it comes to children, who are bombarded by junk food ads that undermine
parents. Everything from child-friendly merchandizing of sugary cereals to
cartoon ads is designed to give companies more sway over what children eat.
Today, the food industry suffers from nutrition research overload, with tidal
waves of new and sometimes contradictory health findings that strain its ability to
produce appealing foods that are in sync with the latest science. But is It
sciences fault that the public is informed? Who fault is it really for the rate of
overweight children in America????
(1) CBS NEWS
Is it Science and its overload of contradictions?
Or
Does the blame fall under personal responsibility?
Or
Is it the food industry that makes millions and millions of dollars marketing and
promoting toys, cartoons, and child friendly merchandise?
McDonald's, in particular, has responded to this growing trend that
suggests that McDonald's should be held accountable for the health problems of
obese people who eat the food at their restaurant. There is also a suggestion that
consumers do not have free choice or take personal responsibility for their food
choices that in some way McDonald's is responsible for luring these people into
the franchise. As if they were inclined to buy this food, exclusively, because it is
less expensive than other food.
The topic lends itself to analysis; you could examine consumer behavior,
which is a psychological study of the buying habits of people, and measure the
level of responsibility that advertising plays in influencing the decision of the
consumer.
Does advertising really motivate to a hypnotic level the customer so that
he cannot resist the urge to buy the product? Is McDonald's really brainwashing
their customers into a life of health problems because they come to the franchise
to eat Big Macs, French fries and milkshakes?
It is a fascinating question to consider, at what point does the individual
become less responsible for his behavior due to the influence of advertising?
And, can successful advertising be blamed for the increase in obese children
who eat McDonalds?
Keep in mind that McDonalds responded to this accusation by adding
healthy food choices to their menu. They offer choices in kids meals, milk
instead of soda, fruit instead of French fries; salads are on the menu, grilled
chicken, yogurt. But statistics show that most people go to McDonald's for the
burgers, fries and shakes. In fact, the fries are the best selling product in the
restaurant.
There are many websites that will give you detailed information about this
topic. Also, the book Fast Food Nation is a good source as is the movie
Supersize Me.
Pro: McDonalds is not doing anything wrong by focusing ads to children
Con: McDonalds is wrong to focus ads to children