Recently, the number of ads boasting unhealthy snacks has skyrocketed. Researchers at Connecticut's Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity report that "40% of all food and beverage ads children and teens see on TV are for snacks". These food companies now resort to advertising on websites and social media apps such as Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter. Of the increased number of snack ads, only a quarter advertise healthy options. Exposure to alternative options like yogurt hasn't changed while fruit and nut ads have barely increased and consist of 5% of total snack ads. The director of marketing at the CRCFPO also claims that the majority of savory and sweet ads are targeted to the black and Hispanic youth. She, among other organizations directed to health of Americ's youth, advocates regulation of exposure to junk food ads.
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Junk food is a serious issue in America leading to the gradual obesity of the youth. What's crazy is that we don't recognize the difference in exposure to healthy foods compared to junk foods along with the price difference between the two. Junk food is incredibly cheaper than healthy, therefore, the majority of Americans feast on fast foods, snacks, and foods chock full of preservatives and artificial flavors. I agree that we should have a food"reform" in order to benefit the entirety of the population.
http://www.cnn.com/2015/11/02/health/children-snack-food-advertising/index.html
http://www.cnn.com/2015/11/02/health/children-snack-food-advertising/index.html
I agree with this, advertising of these snack foods directly correlates with people's purchase choices. The big question is what to do about it. Federal gov. stepping in would be seen as an attack on the businesses.
ReplyDeleteFood advertising is something I think the government should regulate because I have recently watched some pretty terrifying documentaries about obesity in America. One of them mentioned that companies purchase a lot of ad time during kid's shows because kids are more susceptible to the ads. It is completely unfair that these companies are taking advantage of kids, and it should be addressed somehow.
ReplyDeletethis goes to show how corrupt companies can be. I know its marketing and all but honestly it shouldn't be done so heavily knoing the risks it can come with
ReplyDelete