Advertising and Obesity 

By: Hannah, Rebecca, and Steve

In the past 40 years obesity rates have tripled, between the ages of six and nineteen. The numbers that we found were alarmingly high and many doctors and dietitians have linked childhood obesity to advertising.  Today, food is the top product advertised for kids, making it almost impossible for them to ignore it. 

Although there is no real evidence to prove that obesity is linked to advertising, the statistics show that children are surrounded by unhealthy food ads. Reports have shown that kids 8-12 see most of the food ads, averaging 21 ads a day. Teens aren’t too far behind seeing an average of 17 ads a day, and shockingly children ages 2-7 already see an average of 12 ads a day.  Even though there is no real evidence to link the two, the statistics show that children of all ages are constantly exposed to faulty advertising. 

It is proven that food advertising on television influences the diets, preferences, and requests of children under the age of 12. Many people argue that it is the people’s choice, deciding what they do, that the media and advertising has nothing to do with. In a way that is true, but on the other hand how can you say that advertising doesn’t influence the choices people make at all? Thirty-four percent of all food ads that target kids or teens advertise some type of candy or snack.

 After reading selected articles we have come to the conclusion that there needs to be a change in the foods are being advertised, and there also needs to be a change in the way food is advertised to children.  Using cartoon characters and famous people to pull consumers in is causing a negative effect on the buying habits of children and teens.

Sources:

Burros, Marian. "Report Links TV Ads and Childhood Obesity." New York Times.com. December 6, 2005. The New York Times. May 23, 2007. http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/06/business/media/06cnd-kids.html?ex=1291525200&en=c81a1eea871613b1&ei=5090.

"The Role of Media in Childhood Obesity". Issue Brief. Feburary 2004. Kaiser. May 23, 2007. http://www.kff.org/entmedia/upload/The-Role-Of-Media-in-Childhood-Obesity.pdf

Letter to the Editor

 Sheboygan Falls, WI 53085

The Sheboygan Press

632 Center Ave.

P.O. Box 358

Sheboygan, WI 53081

Editor:  

Recently there have been a lot of articles being written to try and link advertising to increasing obesity. Many advertising companies are claiming that their products are now healthier, yet the number of overweight children continues to rise. Even though there has been no study done that directly links the two, the statistics shown make it questionable.

The amount of food products being advertised to kids is almost 100 times what it was a little over 10 years ago. Advertising surrounds children almost everywhere they go, from games, movies, TV, food, and magazines. Advertising companies are using the strategy of making food look fun and exciting for children. A shocking 34% of all advertising to children is for candy and snacks.

So far there haven’t been any major changes on either part of the food manufactures or advertisers.  Many children networks are creating campaigns that try to motivate activity and healthy eating, but it is going to take more than a few commercials to bring the obesity rate back down to an acceptable level. “While public service ads on fitness and nutrition may well play an important role in helping to fight childhood obesity, we need to be realistic about our expectations given how few such messages children see.”(Rideout, vice president and director of The Study of Education Media at Kaiser Family Foundation)  What this means really is that we can not rely on children seeing these ads; the parents need to take a step forward and help their children. 

Sincerely,

Hannah, Rebecca, and Steve

7th hour