The Unhealthy Generation Case Study

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Recommended: Childhood obesity is an epidemic in the United States

The Unhealthy Generation: A “Growing” Problem

Nicholas Spinelli

Childhood obesity has become a major health concern in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the percentage of obese children between the ages of 6 and 11 in the United States has increased from 7% in 1980 to almost 18% in 2012. Comparably, the percentage of obese adolescents between the ages of 12 and 19 increased from 5-21% over the same period of time. (“Centers for Disease Control and Prevention”, 2014) Parents nationwide are raising concerns about the impact food advertisements have on their children’s eating habits. (Harris, 2012) Parents are finding it considerably more challenging to instill healthy eating habits in their children …show more content…

Their main objective is to shift the mix of advertisements targeting children from encouraging the consumption of non-nutrient dense foods to promoting nutrient dense foods. Working together with industry leaders and nutrition professionals, the CFBAI was able to develop a Uniform Nutrition Criteria that was enacted on December 31, 2013.
The Uniform Nutrition Criteria limits the amount of calories, saturated fat, trans fat, sodium and sugars products can contain that are advertised to children. In order to encourage nutrient dense dietary choices, companies who participate in the CFBAI, pledge to abide by the Uniform Nutrition Criteria when advertising any food product to children under the age of 12. ("Children 's Food and Beverage Advertising Initiative", 2014)
Several other industry leaders that are participants in the CFBAI include: Burger King Corp., Kellogg Company, The Dannon Company and McDonald’s USA. Kellogg Company’s pledge lists 7 cereals and breakfast items that meet the Uniform Nutrition Criteria set forth by the CFBAI, allowing them to advertise these products to children under the age of 12. Several of the cereals that Kellogg’s is permitted to advertise to children include, Frosted Flakes and Rice Krispies and another favorite, Eggo Homestyle Waffles. (Gwyn,

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