Advertisements and Obesity in Children

Obesity has become one of the major concerns of 21^st century. In the past 30 years, obesity rates have tripled among preschool-aged children and multiplied for elementary-aged children.  A number of studies link a high body mass index (BMI) with frequent television watching and the most obvious — and widely believed — explanation is that television viewing is a sedentary activity. However, a 2009 study suggests that the connection between TV and child weight problems actually relates to the content of the programming.

Here let’s discuss about the influence of advertisements on the cause. These days most of the FMCG products are surviving only on advertisements especially edible items. Why it has changed like that? The amount of competition increased in the market and manufacturers are now only looking at sale increasing leaving apart the quality and side effects of the product. And to be in tight competition in the market they spend huge money on advertisements keeping in mind the mass behavior. These days even our buying mentality changed accordingly. Most colorful and publicized products are being sold in higher quantity. 

When these advertisements appear in the media, it pulls the crowd attention especially of children. So the next time when they go shopping with parents, they ask for the particular product which they have seen on TV and try all tantrums to get it. Without knowing and understanding the after effects we also tend to buy it for them to keep them quiet. Most of such product contains steroid hormones that increase the weight and forces fat disposition in body. Over addiction of TV is keeping our children away from physical exercises and it adds to obesity. 

Serious measures need to be taken to avoid a dangerous situation like an obese generation which is ‘good for nothing’. What could be the possible measures? It is the control and care of parents which can only save the children from this problem. We have to monitor each and every habit of children without making their life miserable. Over protection is also a problem of present day. By controlling food habits of children we shall not deny them from their favorite food item. Prepare all their much loved food items at home using healthy ingredients. Makes fruits as part of life instead of snacks all the time and habituate them to eat fruits. Encourage them to involve in sports and games as part of physical exercise. Even school can play a major role here by educating children what to eat how to eat.            

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