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TiaNathanDerek

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Are Parents Or Advertisements To Blame?

By: Tia, Nathan, and Derek

 

Many different organizations are on the forefront that’s fighting against childhood obesity. The Institution of Medicine, the Children’s Food and Beverage Advertising Initiative, and even some groups in Great Britain are coming out with ways to combat the growing population of obese children. Dr. Jeffrey Koplan, former Director of the Centers for Disease Control, stated that, “We really require a revolution in the environment in which we’re raising our kids.” He is suggesting that children receive 30 minutes a day of physical activity, that children are educated about nutrition and the value of physical activity, and that only healthy food be allowed in schools. A report done by the New York Times is also urging for the education of not only children, but all people on making healthier food choices and using the profits from industries that are "responsible" for the rising amount of overweight people in America to fund it. Research done by MSNBC shows that cartoon and movie characters, that are currently being used to promote unhealthy foods, could easily be used to promote healthy foods. However, the one common link between all of these organizations is that they're calling for stricter bans and regulations on advertising tactics to children.

 

 However, all the new revolutions come at a price. America runs on a free market society, which means that businesses are free to make what they want and advertise it as they’d like. If we were to introduce new regulations restricting or even banning certain types of advertising, then we are actually contradicting ourselves. America will end up being more socialist, which is a system where the government owns all industries and controls the economy, than capitalist. Sure, the children may slim down a bit, but the price that we’ll have to pay will be too high. We believe that although the media does have effects on what children want, it is still the parents that go out and purchase the product just to keep their children quiet. In two editorials written by college students from Plattsburg State University, it’s stated that young children have little disposable income and don’t have the means to drive themselves to the store. If the parents were overly concerned about their child’s health, they wouldn’t be buying their kids whatever food they want or whatever game station they want. We mention the game stations because the number one cause of obesity is lack of exercise. Instead of going outside like children did 30 years ago, they sit inside on the couch and play the latest video game while eating a bag of potato chips. In conclusion, we want to point out that it’s not really the companies fault for advertising fattening foods, it’s the parents’ influence on and acceptance of bad eating habits that will cause their child to gain unwanted weight.

 

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220 Amherst Ave.

Sheboygan Falls, WI 53085

May 24, 2007

 

 

Letters to the Editor

Sheboygan Press

Sheboygan, WI 53081

 

 

Editor:

 

 

Obesity is a rising problem occurring not only in our city, but throughout America and the world. Many different experiments and research programs have rooted the problem down to two sources: media and parents. The problem isn’t entirely your fault, but you, as parents, definitely play a dramatic role in the problem. Advertising may influence your children to whine and scream for what they just saw on the latest T.V. show, but you’re still the one that goes out and buys it for them.

 

 

Through research, scientists have discovered that children between the ages 10-12 have their diets greatly influenced by advertising. Almost 50% of commercials that are directed towards children are promoting unhealthy food. Companies also pay millions of dollars to use popular cartoon characters as spokesmen for their product. If a child sees their favorite cartoon character on a box, they are going to want it regardless of its contents. Also, the information on nutrition labels differs from what the company says in its commercials.

 

 

And this is where parents come in. The company can advertise and promote their product all they want, but it is still you that gets in the car and takes your kid to the store. Some people would say that their child would throw a tantrum if they don’t get the food they request, but it comes down to your will power. If your child is honestly that bad, then maybe you should think to leave them home when you go grocery shopping. Also, buying the new PS3 for your child isn’t helping them lose weight either. It is you basically giving them an item so that they will let you be and you won’t have to deal with them. Video games are fun, but in moderation. Sitting on the couch for 8 hours moving nothing but your thumbs isn’t classified as physical activity.

 

 

We don’t think that advertisement should be restricted even though it has been linked to obesity. It is not entirely the companies fault for making fattening food; it is more the parents’ willingness to buy it. If your child is a little bit heavier than you would like, start adding more nutritious food to the menu at your house. The next time you’re asked for Doritos, offer crackers and cheese instead. The next time you see your kid sitting and playing video games, offer to go play in the backyard with them .After grouping all these little changes together, you will notice a significant change in your child’s health.

 

 

Tia, Nathan, Derek

 

 

 

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