Researchers have found out that a ban on fast food commericals could reduce older child obesity by 18 percent and youger child obesity by 14 percent. Some experts say it's the first national study to show fast-food TV commercials have such a large effect on childhood obesity. A 2006 Institute of Medicine report suggested a link, but concluded proof was lacking. Lisa Powell, a researcher at the University of Illinois said that the study has important implications for the effectiveness of regulating TV advertising. The percentage of children that are currently overweight has level offed since the 1980's, when obesity rose year after year. Powell stated that 23 percent of commercials that kids see are fast food commercials. Children over the course of the year will see fast food commercials tens of thousands of times.
The researcher in this project looked at the amount of commercials they saw pertaining to fast food, income, and the proximity of those people to fast food.
Our nation has a huge economic crisis along with obesity. Fast food is cheap and easy obtain which fits great with the way our economy is right now. Instead of going out to dinner and spending $100 for a family of 4, that mom or dad can go to McDonalds or Burger King for probably 1/4 of that price. Ellen Davis, a spokewoman for McDonalds said this, "Parent make choices for their kids — they make choices on where their children eat, and what their children eat. We all know kids have very strong opinions, but ultimately it's parents that make choices for them". Is she right, shouldn't parent be more responsible and know the consequences of fast food? In my opinion yes, but it's probably a lot different when you have a kid kicking and screaming because he/she wants McDonalds.
5 comments:
I never knew they were having a ban on fast food commercials. I found it interesting that the results has shown a decrease in obesity. This is shocking but unfortunatly makes sense. Advertisments and commercials has such a huge impact on the world and the children in it. I agree that parents have the responsibility to control what their child eats, and also to control how much TV they watch. Maybe if they start monitoring both more the obesity rate will continue to drop? Good blog!
This was a great article because I know when I see a fast food commmercial it makes me want to go out and get some. If it happens to me I'm sure little kids watching these commercials will ask there parents to go out and get some. It is unfortunate that our economy is so bad some parents do it just to save money.
There is no doubt in my mind that having bans on fast food commercials would lower the incidence of obesity in children especially. Realistically however, commercials and the media are not the primary culprit here contrary to popular belief. Instead, I feel that it comes down to parenting and raising your children with healthy eating habits. When a young child eats fast food on an all-too-regular basis, it is not the commercial or even the creator of the commercial that brings the product to them. Rather, it is the parents who supply their children with these extremely unhealthy meals. So the next time someone is looking to blame a commercial or advertisement on a person's obesity, they should see beyond the surface to the root and supplier of the problem first and foremost.
I think this is a great idea. Many people see things on tv, not just food, and get cravings for it. If you take this away, there for reducing the amount of cravings people have for this fast food it is obivous that people are going to eat it less.
Although I didn't know they were banning fast food commercials, I don't know if that would do the trick; I mean a kid is a kid, they see something "cool" on TV like Ronald McDonald or even some type of toy, they want it! Fast food commercials are purposely trying to target the children and they've been successful in doing so. However, the decision of whether or not the child eats the food is ultimately the parents'. I mean come on, the kids aren't going to drive themselves. Although the economy is at a rough spot, there are always healthier options than fast food, that's just the easiest.
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