Ads and Overweight Kids

 

Advertising can have a major effect on most aspects of a child’s life. According to an MSNBC article, "Report: TV Ads Contribute to Child Obesity", advertisements on television that include popular characters like Spongebob Squarepants and Shrek, strongly influence what children eat. But what seems to stand out the most is that the companies that are using these characters are trying to sell foods that are high in fat, sugar and calories. This shows that the ad industry will do pretty much anything just to get kid’s to buy their products and make money off of them.

 

Kids are also becoming less active as lazy as time goes by. Instead of going to play catch outside or ride their bikes, they would rather sit inside and watch television for hours at a time. This is one of the major contributions that lead to obesity, which can cause other life-threatening diseases and health conditions, like the common type 2 diabetes.

 

Although many companies know about this growing problem, there are some that are trying to do something about it. One of these companies is Nickelodeon. Nickelodeon has created a new campaign that encourages kids to eat healthier and get fit. Even though they are using cartoon characters to get kids attention, they are advertising for a good cause. But they need more help; one company alone can’t make much of a difference, there need to be more companies who are willing to get rid of this problem.

 

Adam, Emilie and Stephanie

 

 

Sources:

The Associated Press.Report: Tv Ads Contribute to Child Obesity.2006. MSNBC News. May 23,2007. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10346448/%20

 

 

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220 Amherst Ave.

Sheboygan Falls, WI 53085

25 May 2007

 

Letters to the Editor

Sheboygan Press

632 Center Ave.

Sheboygan, WI 53081

Editor:

 

Our names are Adam, Emilie, and Stephanie, and we’re students at Sheboygan Falls High School. We are writing to you to make a point on childhood obesity. We’ve seen far too many children that sit inside eating junk food and refuse to go outside and get active.

 

Obesity in kids is a growing problem all over the United States. Kids are becoming lazier and bigger. It’s a problem that we must confront and stop. Advertising is hurting our children by using T.V. ads. We see ads for unhealthy food, video games, and other T.V. programs that are keeping kids indoors.

 

There are, however, solutions to these ongoing problems with overweight kids. Parents can help. You can set limits for your kids. Set limits on how much T.V. your kids watch, how much junk food they can have in a week, or even designate a time during the day for your kids to go outside.

 

Childhood obesity is a preventable problem that continues to grow and hurt our nation’s future. The media isn’t doing much to prevent it; we suggest that you parents should.

 

Adam, Emilie, and Stephanie

 

 

 

 

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