Critical Analysis Essay “Food Cops on the Prowl” Obesity is one of the most serious problems of the childhood in the present. There are a lot of reasons to lead the obesity in young people. The article “Food Cops on the Prowl” pointed out the marketing of food companies is one of the important causes of childhood obesity. According to Pierce Hollingsworth (2004), there was so many causes lead to childhood obesity, not only the food marketing. He showed some causes of childhood obesity, and he thought that people should care more about the other causes.
Many countries are trying to do something to make their children’s life healthier by promoting healthy food and diets campaigns. Obesity is a worldwide disaster that ruins lives. Obesity is being fat or overweight and that affects their lives in negative ways. The primary reasons of obesity are actually parents; they’re the ones who decide what type of food their child eats and they specify the amount of food the child gets. However, the studies of the American academy of child and adolescent psychiatry showed that between 16 and 33 percent of children and adolescents are obese.
Childhood obesity around the world, and particularly in the U.S., is an increasing problem that is extremely damaging as its’ effects carry on into adulthood. Childhood obesity is not to be taken lightly. Eating fast-foods high in calories, rich in fats and refined sugars can actually trick the body into craving the foods and therefore, become addicted. There are many contributing factors to childhood obesity and the health risks associated with being an obese child, but the link between eating fast food and child obesity is astonishing. Obesity in anyone can prove to be a life threatening condition, but calculating good eating habits, a healthy diet and proper exercise for our children can help prevent that child from becoming obese.
Nowadays, children obesity has increased rapidly, and it has reached the epidemic level. Experts predict that 15% of children are overweight, and another 15% are at the risk of becoming overweight. Two-thirds of these overweight children will become overweight adults. (Henry, 2004) Who or what should be blamed for the rise in obesity? Should the parents who set a bad example be blamed?
Yatin Patel Noel English 101-132 December 2, 2010 The Future of America is Fat Childhood obesity is quickly becoming a major crisis for children across the nation and around the world. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, “Approximately 300,000 deaths a year in this country are currently associated with overweight and obesity” (“Satcher”). Also, statistics from the article show that, “Obesity incidences among American children have dangerously climbed from 5% in the 1980s to 15.3% in 2000” (“Fighting”). Schools are partly to blame for childhood obesity because of the high-fat, high-calorie, and sugary food they serve. We have a crisis on our hands with childhood obesity on the rise.
Advertising and Its Effects on Childhood Obesity It has been said many times before that children are our future. One of the most alarming statistics about our future is the ever-alarming rate of obesity and overweight children in the United States. “Childhood obesity has more than tripled in the past 30 years. The prevalence of obesity among children aged 6 to 11 years increased from 6.5% in 1980 to 19.6% in 2008. The prevalence of obesity among adolescents aged 12 to 19 years increased from 5.0% to 18.1%” (Childhood Obesity).
Those without transportation are subjected to shopping at convenience and corner stores. Residents with better access to supermarkets and reliable transportation are less likely to develop obesity and more likely to have a healthy diet. But, where healthy food is more costly, sugars and fats are inexpensive and abundant. Families that are low-income try to stretch the dollar by buying cheap foods that are filling. These foods are of low quality, and have been the leading cause of obesity.
Daniel Weintraub, in his article, "The battle against fast food begins in the home", states that parents are to blame for childhood obesity. The essence of Weintraub's argument is that it is the parents responsibility not the government, nor are the fast food companies bound to teach kids how to eat healthy and how to say active. He also mentioned results of statistics made on social economic status and gender, which shows that more kids are overweight due to fast food restaurants, supersizing and lack of exercise. Weintraub refutes these findings by emphasizing how parents are responsible for what their kids eat. As a result, his own recommendations include: limiting the consumption of sodas, junk food as well as avoiding a sedentary lifestyle.
It was found that most teens actually eat a more healthy diet when then when they were younger and had little control over what they ate. Introduction Fast food is a major part of the American lifestyle and thus American teenagers have grown up in a world of the dollar menu and drive-thru. Teenagers have also been exposed to the growing opposition to fast-food and have been born and raised in the middle of America’s “obesity epidemic.” Many people have reached the conclusion that American teenagers eat much more fast food than they should and that the amount of fast food they eat directly correlates to their health. This study suggests that not only do teenagers eat less fast food than the literature suggests, but also that some teenagers still report eating unhealthy diets even when mostly eating meals made at home. It also shows that childhood eating habits actually change for the better, but that teenage eating habits are unlikely to change.
Should restrictions be placed on adverts that target children? Child obesity is a growing problem in America. There are many possibilities that are contributing to this issue, and are being investigated. Adverts that target the child audience are a main focus, while others argue that adverts have nothing to do with obesity; the child’s home life and surroundings are the cause. People are also pushing for restrictions to be placed on marketers that target the child audience, while they do not see who is actually buying the unhealthy food for their children.