Advertising and its Effect on Childhood Obesity

Children born in the generation of mass advertising and overconsumption of foods are constantly being exposed to unhealthy foods. Mass advertising is one of the factors contributing to the obesity epidemic. Social, environmental and individual factors may further be influencing the rising rates of childhood obesity. Within this paper, I will provide a literature review about how television food advertising has played a role in the growth of childhood obesity and then discuss by what means the food advertising on television impacts childhood obesity. I will argue that watching television and the presence of food advertisement contribute the growing childhood obesity epidemic by advertising unhealthy food choices, by stimulating increased snacking and by displacing time that could be used for physical activity for television A number of studies discuss the growing rates of childhood obesity.

Several internal and external factors contribute to childhood obesity; however, many people believe that parents are primarily to blame for obese children and adolescents. On the other hand, medical professionals and sociologists have studied the consistent decline in physical activity and external societal influences that help to contribute to childhood obesity. Childhood obesity is comprised of several internal components. It is commonly believed that obesity is caused by a gene produced during the perinatal stage of human development that increases the likelihood of weight gain in children. The perinatal phase of development occurs, “from the twentieth week of gestation to the twenty-eighth day of newborn life” ("Perinatal,").

An imbalance in caloric metabolism is to blame for obesity; however, this imbalance can be due to an assortment of factors (Childhood Obesity Facts, 2014), not just overeating and a lack of exercise. Because of the prevalence of obesity and its effects on our youth, it is expert opinion that addressing this issue of childhood obesity is more necessary today than ever before. Before it can be addressed, though, biological and environmental factors need to be recognized (Gundersen, Mahatmya, Garasky, Lohman, 2014). Gundersen et al. (2014) explored the idea that there are psychosocial stressors in children’s lives that play a role in obesity.

“Many researchers have theorized that media use by children, excessive snacking during media use, food-marketing practices in food advertisements, cross promotions, food away from home, supersizing and increased portion sizes can all contribute to childhood obesity” (Kavas). Due to the epidemic rise in obesity, and for the safety of children’s health now and in the future, the NEH needs to fund education regarding the link between portion sizes and obesity. Obesity is a disease where there is an excessive or abnormal build up of body fat. It is a terrible illness and difficult to overcome. Obesity was once only a problem in high-income countries, but percentages have also risen dramatically in low to middle income countries.

Yung also mentions psychological and social consequences that are associated with childhood obesity. According to Yung (2009), childhood obesity has significant impact on the emotional development of the child or adolescent, who suffers discrimination and stigmatization, as the obese individual is often associated with negative characteristics, and commonly regarded as a glutton and greedy, weak-minded and ill-disciplined. Yung also goes on by saying that the negative factors work against a child with weight problem, they tend to have fewer opportunities in school, and smaller social circle. I am going to use this article to support my research by using the details on the different health consequences Yung mentions.

Eating practices that children are taught or learn during childhood affects a person later in their life whether they know or not. Multiple studies have confirmed that childhood obesity in the U.S has been on a rise for years. One out of three children in the U.S are obese, most of them face a higher risk of having medical, social and academic problems. Childhood obesity also leads to many health problems among young people. Those problems include diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and many more others.

Several popular studies have been conducted as a result of the rise in childhood obesity. Lynn Roblin went after the topic from food and nutrient perspective in “Childhood Obesity: Food, Nutrient, and eating-habit trends and influences. Tuesday Udell and Kaye Mehta took on the perspective from a newspaper and paper media standpoint in “When two sides go to war: Newspaper reporting of ‘television food advertising restriction’ as a solution to childhood obesity”. While yet another fascinating study was performed by JaneMaree Maher, Suzanne Fraser and Jo Lindsay in the article “Between Provisioning and consuming? : Children, Mothers and ‘childhood obesity”.

Children are the people most affected by the chemicals used to produce and process food. They eat more foods than adults, which means that antibiotic and hormone residues in their foods collect in greater concentrations in their bodies. In addition, kids are eating foods that are unhealthy leading to addiction. "American children are increasingly enduring obesity and general... ... middle of paper ... ...rition 51.6 (2012): 637-663.Academic Search Premier. Web.

Power TG, Bindler RC, Goetz S, Daratha KB. “Obesity prevention in early adolescence”: student, parent, and teacher views. J Sch Health. 2010; 80: 13–19.

Obesity results from an imbalance involving excessive calorie consumption and/or inadequate physical activity. In addition, obesity is mediated by genetic, behavioral, cultural, and environmental factors. The health impact from childhood obesity has both immediate and long-term effects, negative consequences that include diabetes, cardiovascular disease, asthma, and mental health problems. There are lots of reasons why childhood obesity in America is on the rise. Doctors agree that there are two primary factors in creating obese children: children and teenagers adhering to unhealthy eating habits and getting less and less exercise on a daily basis.