Advertising is a very effective way that the media gets the people of America to constantly consume. People all over the country are constantly being bombarded by advertisements for every different kind of product possible. The main group being targeted, however, is young people. The advertising industry made the brilliant discovery that the young people of our country are very vulnerable to advertising, and are the most likely to blow their money on things they probably don't need. Young people between the ages of 8 and 12 are the ones most secceptible to falling into the marketing trap.

This is one of the reasons why many of our young people today are becoming obese. Links have been made between the advertising of all different kinds of products, and obesity. Many of the Foods advertised are high in calories, and low in nutrition said J. Michael McGinnis in Stop Advertising Junk Food to Kids. Characters on the t.v. that help advertise all of these products are a huge factor in why kids get hooked on advertising, and unhealthy products. Many kids see their favorite t.v. character advertising pop-tarts, and the next time they see pop-tarts at the store they will want some as well. Iowa Senator Tom Harkin as stated in Stop Advertising Junk Food to Kids, said he thinks that likeable characters like Shrek and Spongebob manipulate vulnerable children to make unhealthy choices.

Young people today are open targets just waiting to be sucked into the media and all the advertisements surrounding them.

Samantha N. Brandon L. Travis C.

Letter to the Editor

220 Amherst Ave.

Sheboygan Falls, WI 53085

5/24/07

Letters to the Editor

The Sheboygan Press

Sheboygan, WI 53081

Editor:

There are many problems that this country is facing in this day and age, and many pose a big threat that need to be confronted and dealt with.  A problem that has raised great concern is the growing obesity taking over America’s youth. There are many different things that have been contributing to childhood obesity, and a very large cause could be partly blamed on the media. Companies target America’s youth by using many different marketing tricks to make young people buy their products. Sometimes they will use popular TV characters that young people are familiar with to get them to want to buy their products. These products which are usually high in calories and low in nutrition are consequently the unhealthy foods that can lead to obesity.

Another way the media affects childhood obesity is because kids now want to spend more time indoors doing things like watching TV, sitting on the computer, and playing video games instead of being active outdoors. The media is constantly making new TV shows and computer games that will lure kids inside, and cause them to be less active.

As parents, there are many precautions you can take to make sure that your kid lives a healthy lifestyle, and isn’t lured into the media. First of all, make sure that they only can use a limited number of technological devices per day (TV, computer, gameboy.) Along with that, make sure that they also spend enough time per day exercising and getting physical activity, whether it be indoors or outdoors. As parents, you should also make sure that you are teaching your kids what is healthy to eat. Let them know that lots of the products being advertised on TV are unhealthy, even though their favorite athlete may be promoting them. Make sure that you don’t let them fall victim to the media, and that they aren’t lured into the trap to buy every unhealthy product advertised on TV. 

As parents, you play a major role in the lifestyle that your kids live, and without your help, the media surrounding your kids every day may help lead to the growing rate of obesity in our country.

Samantha N. Brandon L. Travis C.