Childhood obesity has more than doubled in children and tripled in adolescents in the past thirty years. Obesity is becoming the fastest growing cause of disease putting children high at risk for diabetes, heart disease and other health problems. Psychological effects can also occur such as low self-esteem, negative body image, and depression. It has been argued, whether or not this leading epidemic is the individual’s responsibility or if food marketing is the leading cause of child obesity.
Several factors contribute to child obesity including genetic, environmental, and personal factors. Other contributing factors to this worldwide issue include lifestyle habits, lack of physical activity, medications, lack of self-control, and nutritional misunderstandings. Many believe that it is the parent’s responsibility to prevent their children from obesity. Parents are urged to keep their children active. It is important to get your children involved in sports and outdoor activities rather than playing on the computer, watching TV, or playing video games. It is also argued that it is the parent’s responsibility to ensure that their child is getting proper nutrition and nutrients in their diet. This is essential for growth and development at a young age. Parents are urged to make home cooked meals for their children rather than resorting to fast food, restaurants, or ready to cook meals. By keeping children active and feeding them healthy meals, parents can prevent their children from becoming obese.
Although it may seem easy to prevent childhood obesity by keeping your child active and providing them with home cooked meals, it is not so simple. Margo Wootan from the Center of Disease Control stated, “We’ve got to move beyond personal responsibility.” The issue of obesity is beyond personal responsibility and many forces are outside of the personal control. Environmental factors have an impact on this growing issue.
Food marketing to children and adolescents is a major public health concern. Food marketing has a direct and powerful impact on young children’s food preferences, requests, consumption, and negatively influences their diet, weight, and health. The food industry is among the top advertisers in the US media market; spending close to $1.8 billion a year on advertisements targeting young children. Children and adolescents are exposed to increasing levels of television advertising, mostly for unhealthy snacks, cereals, candies, and other food with high fat, sodium, or added sugar content. On television alone, the average U.S child sees 15 commercials every day, or 5,500 a year. In comparison, children see about 1 ad per week for healthy food such as vegetables, fruits, and water. Not only are children being exposed to these adds through TV but they are also being exposed to these advertisements through other mediums including movies, games, Internet and also in stores.
The marketing of energy dense, low nutrient food products directly to children and adolescents is a factor contributing to the obesity epidemic. Food marketers grasp children’s attention by using cartoon characters, celebrities, sports players, colorful packaging, prizes, and “give aways” to influence children to pester their parents to buy them. A Food marketer’s goal is to make food easier to purchase, prepare, and consume. Food is now available not only in grocery stores or restaurants but in gas stations, pharmacies, work offices, schools, and hospitals. The increased availability of food adds to local obesity trends. Food companies have made it easier to access a variety of tasty, convenient and inexpensive foods that can be eaten in large quantities. Some underlying issues with food marketing are portion size, supersizing, false advertisement, and prices.
Supersizing is another leading cause of increasing obesity. Large packaging and serving sizes encourage increased energy intake. People want affordable and many fast food companies provide you with large portions for a small price. Food marketing has provided us with access to bigger, cheaper, calorie dense foods. Advertisements often lack information regarding food size, calorie content, and volume. Many people have a difficult time understanding serving size and interpreting food labels. Many labels can be misleading. Studies reveal that misleading labels such as “low fat, extra light, and fat free,” leads to the assumption that you can consume more. Several companies have been criticized of labeling foods as “healthy,” resulting in overconsumption.
In conclusion, there is still argument whether or not obesity is to be blamed on the individual or food manufacturers. Childhood obesity can be blamed on parental influence, food marketing or a combination. Causes of childhood obesity could be influenced by a number of factors. It has yet to be determined which is blameworthy. Many efforts to reduce obesity have been focused on changing the food environment. Nutrition labels have been added to vending machines, restaurants, and fast food restaurants. Many schools have been making adjustments, getting rid of junk food, vending machines, and requiring students to consume fruits and vegetables. Many prices on unhealthy food have increased to discourage unhealthy eating and promote healthier cheap choices. With these efforts being made, the public has slowly responded to these new policies to reduce obesity and improve health.
Works Referenced
Lusk, J. L., & Ellison, B. (2013). Who is to blame for the rise in obesity?. Appetite 68, 14-22. doi: https://blackboard.unh.edu/bbcswebdav/pid-4235947-dt-content-rid-5324239_2/courses/nutr650-01-201310/Lusk.pdf
Chandon, P., & Wansick, B. (2012). Does food marketing need to make us fat? a review and solutions. Nutrition reviews, 70(10), 571-593. doi: https://blackboard.unh.edu/bbcswebdav/pid-4235966-dt-content-rid-5324241_2/courses/nutr650-01-201310/Chandon.pdf
(n.d.). Food marketing to youth. Rudd Center Research, Retrieved from http://www.yaleruddcenter.org/what_we_do.aspx?id=4
Smith, S. (2010). Food, fun- and fat. The Boston Globe, Retrieved from http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/articles/2010/07/19/war_on_obesity_targets_food_marketing/
Katie McGuiggan
Although it may seem easy to prevent childhood obesity by keeping your child active and providing them with home cooked meals, it is not so simple. Margo Wootan from the Center of Disease Control stated, “We’ve got to move beyond personal responsibility.” The issue of obesity is beyond personal responsibility and many forces are outside of the personal control. Environmental factors have an impact on this growing issue.
Food marketing to children and adolescents is a major public health concern. Food marketing has a direct and powerful impact on young children’s food preferences, requests, consumption, and negatively influences their diet, weight, and health. The food industry is among the top advertisers in the US media market; spending close to $1.8 billion a year on advertisements targeting young children. Children and adolescents are exposed to increasing levels of television advertising, mostly for unhealthy snacks, cereals, candies, and other food with high fat, sodium, or added sugar content. On television alone, the average U.S child sees 15 commercials every day, or 5,500 a year. In comparison, children see about 1 ad per week for healthy food such as vegetables, fruits, and water. Not only are children being exposed to these adds through TV but they are also being exposed to these advertisements through other mediums including movies, games, Internet and also in stores.
The marketing of energy dense, low nutrient food products directly to children and adolescents is a factor contributing to the obesity epidemic. Food marketers grasp children’s attention by using cartoon characters, celebrities, sports players, colorful packaging, prizes, and “give aways” to influence children to pester their parents to buy them. A Food marketer’s goal is to make food easier to purchase, prepare, and consume. Food is now available not only in grocery stores or restaurants but in gas stations, pharmacies, work offices, schools, and hospitals. The increased availability of food adds to local obesity trends. Food companies have made it easier to access a variety of tasty, convenient and inexpensive foods that can be eaten in large quantities. Some underlying issues with food marketing are portion size, supersizing, false advertisement, and prices.
Supersizing is another leading cause of increasing obesity. Large packaging and serving sizes encourage increased energy intake. People want affordable and many fast food companies provide you with large portions for a small price. Food marketing has provided us with access to bigger, cheaper, calorie dense foods. Advertisements often lack information regarding food size, calorie content, and volume. Many people have a difficult time understanding serving size and interpreting food labels. Many labels can be misleading. Studies reveal that misleading labels such as “low fat, extra light, and fat free,” leads to the assumption that you can consume more. Several companies have been criticized of labeling foods as “healthy,” resulting in overconsumption.
In conclusion, there is still argument whether or not obesity is to be blamed on the individual or food manufacturers. Childhood obesity can be blamed on parental influence, food marketing or a combination. Causes of childhood obesity could be influenced by a number of factors. It has yet to be determined which is blameworthy. Many efforts to reduce obesity have been focused on changing the food environment. Nutrition labels have been added to vending machines, restaurants, and fast food restaurants. Many schools have been making adjustments, getting rid of junk food, vending machines, and requiring students to consume fruits and vegetables. Many prices on unhealthy food have increased to discourage unhealthy eating and promote healthier cheap choices. With these efforts being made, the public has slowly responded to these new policies to reduce obesity and improve health.
Works Referenced
Lusk, J. L., & Ellison, B. (2013). Who is to blame for the rise in obesity?. Appetite 68, 14-22. doi: https://blackboard.unh.edu/bbcswebdav/pid-4235947-dt-content-rid-5324239_2/courses/nutr650-01-201310/Lusk.pdf
Chandon, P., & Wansick, B. (2012). Does food marketing need to make us fat? a review and solutions. Nutrition reviews, 70(10), 571-593. doi: https://blackboard.unh.edu/bbcswebdav/pid-4235966-dt-content-rid-5324241_2/courses/nutr650-01-201310/Chandon.pdf
(n.d.). Food marketing to youth. Rudd Center Research, Retrieved from http://www.yaleruddcenter.org/what_we_do.aspx?id=4
Smith, S. (2010). Food, fun- and fat. The Boston Globe, Retrieved from http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/articles/2010/07/19/war_on_obesity_targets_food_marketing/
Katie McGuiggan