Essay on Advertising and Obesity in America - 2871 Words

The fast food industry is one of the largest sectors of the United States economy. Companies such as Burger King, Wendys, Taco Bell, McDonalds and KFC have all become household names. Each of these companies operates under a similar mission statement: to serve a quick, filling meal for a very low cost. The primary marketing medium for these companies is television where via commercials, they can portray both their products and a lifestyle. Their intense advertising focus on minorities and children, however, has begun to exacerbate the epidemic of obesity that is sweeping our nation. Fast foods televised advertising is a significant contributor to obesity in todays minority youth. By promoting unhealthy tendencies and†¦show more content†¦Of that $486.3 million spent on commercials, just under half was focused on advertisements directly targeting children. Another analysis recently found that ?US companies spent $3.5 billion on fast-food advertisements.? The problem i s not just the advertising alone, but rather the amount of advertising that its? target audiences are subjected to. The average adult watches close to 1,500 hours of television each year; the average child watching just over 3 hours daily. This accumulates to the average child watching over 20,000 commercials each year (Singer 447). Fast food advertisers have also known children should be a separate, focused advertising market since the 1960?s and that often, the restaurant choice is made by the child, and then paid for by the adult (Singer 449). Because ?[children] lack the ability to differentiate between commercial and non-commercial content? they are vulnerable to the advertising of these companies (Lancet 2064). Moreover, by fast food chains convincing the youth worldwide that their food is the best tasting and the most fun to eat, they are creating a subconscious attraction to their company with the child. People that grew up with fast food advertising have a subconsciou s connection to the restaurant that they ate at as a child. This discreet bond also quickly penetrates children?s minds, and affects their decision to choose a meal. In 2007, The Food Commission published a study that reported ?half of 9-10Show MoreRelatedDoes Advertising Unhealthy Food to Children in America Cause Obesity?2106 Words   |  9 PagesDoes Advertising Unhealthy Food to Children in America Cause Obesity? Executive Summary Since the 1970’s the United States has been witness to a growing epidemic of childhood obesity tripling and in some instances quadrupling. Due to this major health concern it is believed that the advertising of unhealthy foods is the cause of childhood obesity in America. 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