Advertising to Children

Many of us do not even realize how many ads we see every single day. If you live in a city, according to this New York Times article, you can see up to 2,000 ads every day. However, more information is now coming out on the effect of advertising and children. Even more specifically, how these ads effect what children eat and how it is directly related to the growing population of children who are overweight in the United States.

Everyday in the United States, "children and teenagers see 12 to 14 food ads on television" according to this other New York Times article. This does not even include the many other places children have the opportunity to see advertisements like billboards, the internet, and even in school. The repetition of seeing these usually unhealthy food ads played in front of children is now making researchers look at how this related to the obesity crisis in the US. 

Now some campaigns that are trying to fight childhood obesity are firing back with ads that directly show the effects of being overweight as a child. While some of these ads have come under criticism for bullying children and being to harsh others believe its time to really show the effect of obesity on this country. What do you think? Do you think these ads are to harsh?

The Biggest Problem

In the area I live sometimes its easy to forget the vast majority of problems most Americans face today. From the economy to enviroment, the north shore "bubble" provides a cover from many issues today. However, the issue I am reasearching for my junior theme is affecting 17% of children in the United States today; childhood obesity. The repercussions of this  many children being overweight or obese are numerous. Some lasting issues that the country will have to face are not enough healthy recruits to join the army, rising health care costs, declining life span, and a worse overall quality of life.

Many may write off the obesity problems as this generation being lazy and stuck in front of computers and TV screens all day long. While the number of hours children spend in front of a TV may have increased; according to this University of Michigan study, "kids aged 6-11 spend about 28 hours a week in front of a TV," the number of kids overweight can not be entirely blamed on this. Another thing to consider are food deserts: "a district with little or no access to large grocery stores that offer fresh and affordable foods." This means that parents may not have access to fresh, healthy, food instead of fast food like McDonalds or Burger King.

The solution to this problem is not one, many things must be done to make American children healthy again. Michelle Obama's main cause is fighting childhood obesity. However many people do not want the governement coming into this issue and take offence. What do you think? What do you think should be done to help fight this problem?