Analysis Of Food Advertising To Children

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Roosevelt Larkins
English 1001
Professor Andrus
Spring Term 2014
Food Advertising to Children

There is focus upon advertising and children for two broad reasons. First, it is because children are children, and are considered separately. Second, it is because children will become adults. Advertising therefore effects behavior during childhood and continues to do so into adulthood. Advertising to children rarely receives a good press, and it remains a controversial topic in the wider domain. Advertisements from Major companies target children on their ads for a variety of reasons. Children are more likely to be swindled by the ads for sugary foods endorsed by athletes. By pro athletes being role models to kids companies hire them to sell their products. Children being influenced by these ads convince their parents to buy them these foods. Without exercise and a healthy lifestyle these ads marketing foods high in fat leads to childhood obesity. Childhood obesity is a major problem effecting the United States. This is alarming because once gained, it is very difficult to get rid of extra weight, and obesity is associated with an increased risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer, and with a lower life expectancy. Children are now heavier than before and with more kids spending time in doors watching television they take in more ads. More ads mean more money being spent by parents on foods that are not healthy. In addition to using athletes popular cartoon characters are used to make the product seem “kid friendly” and can include catchy songs, bright colors, and animals. It is known that there is a link between the ads of companies marketing to children and the rise of childhood obesity.
Marketing to children of c...

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...ive to non-affected restaurants. To reach this goal, kids menus and child-directed marketing and toy distribution practices were examined before and after the ordinance implemented at ordinance-affected fast-food restaurants compared with matched same-chain restaurants that were unaffected by the ordinance.
Restaurants affected by the ordinance only slightly appeared to have a positive effect on the restaurant. These beginning steps toward major fast food chains advertising unhealthy meals to children should be taken up by other major food chains in states across the country. Serving healthier meals to children and still including the accompanying toy in kid’s meals. Having healthier meals will still have children buying the food. Healthier meals outside of the home will also lead to children wanting healthier meals in the home and will make it easier on parents.

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