According to Janice Shaw Crouse, the Senior Fellow at the Beverly LaHaye Institute, advertising is one of the driving forces behind the large increase in childhood obesity over the past three decades. In other words, television advertising is one of the most harmful factors that is driving the alarming increase in childhood obesity (Crouse 1). Sadly half of all advertising time of children’s shows is food advertisement. Unhealthy food advertisements that target children should be removed because the fast-food industry intentionally markets unhealthy food to children, a lack of physical activity causes obesity, and a culture obsessed with thinness propagates misconceptions about obesity.

The fast-food industry intentionally marketing unhealthy food to children is one reason why unhealthy food advertisements that target children should be removed. First of all, there is no question that the nation’s children are profoundly influenced by television advertisement; therefore, it is also a significant public health threat to children (Crouse 1). Advertisers are using cartoon characters that children are familiar with, so children desire that product being advertised even more than they normally would. Some advertisers are taking steps to respond to the influx of television advertisement for unhealthy foods. “While these actions are commendable, they are not entirely voluntary; some lawsuits are threatened by advocacy groups, and pressure is mounting from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Congress, and the public” (Crouse 1). Additionally, some broadcasters are incorporating healthier messages into their children's programming. “Such actions are necessary to turn around the onslaught of advertisement of products that provide poor nutrition to children” (Crouse 2). According to Crouse, advertisers are still not doing enough to educate and limit the massive number of advertisements directed towards children. Furthermore, a review by Amazon.com states that profit motivated food producers do everything imaginable to increase their market share, thus convincing us to eat more when we should be eating less (Moon 3). All-you-can-eat buffets are no longer profitable to restaurants because people eat so much and they also pack up food to take home. Although, many people will disagree that the fast-food industry intentionally marketing unhealthy food to children, with some thought people could see that removing the unhealthy advertisements are a good thing.

The lack of physical activity causes obesity. This is the second reason as to why unhealthy food advertisements that target children should be removed. In fact, research published in the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine found “insufficient vigorous physical activity was the only risk factor” for overweight children (Berman 1). An article in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition noted “the lack of evidence of a general increase in energy intake among youths despite an increase in the prevalence of overweight children suggests that physical inactivity is a major public health challenge in this age group” (Berman 1). Today schools are part of the problem. Due to the lack of funding they no longer require physical education. We just got a gym at Brewbaker Technology Magnet High School, where I attend, due to funding issues the gym was not built when the school was originally built. An article in the journal Pediatrics found that only 21% of American adolescents participate in a physical education class each week (Berman 2). “Unfortunately, children are still not getting the recommended amount of physical exercise during the day. Part of the reason may be a renewed focus on academics at the expense of time spent at recess or in physical education classes” (Current Issues 3). Also, since children spend so much time at school it would be a good place to have programs that focus on reducing obesity in children. The National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NAPSE) recommends that children get at least one hour of physical activity per day (Current Issues 3). It is common knowledge that a person must burn the calories they consume in order to maintain a healthy weight. While many people will disagree that the a lack of physical activity causes obesity, with some thought people could see that removing the unhealthy advertisements are a good thing.

A culture obsessed with thinness propagates misconceptions about obesity is the third reason as to why unhealthy food advertisements that target children should be removed.

Moreover, “our culture is obsessed with thinness, and millions of Americans attempt to achieve this ideal through diets and weight-loss treatments” (Moon 1). Obesity has reached epidemic proportions so much that First Lady Michelle Obama has spent the last six years campaigning and introducing programs to reduce childhood obesity. The irony is everywhere you look thinness is glamorized and showcased as the model for beauty when in fact most people are nowhere near their ideal weight. Yet, the food industry continues to use the media to influence consumers to buy and consume high-fat and convenient foods that contribute to unhealthy weight gain. Subsequently, “the American landscape is full of tantalizing food at every turn. Fast food, snack food, concessions to accompany every activity, vending machines everywhere, 7-Elevens, 24-hour gas and food marts, take-out, and drive-thru” (Moon 2). Also, some people are obese due to genetic issues, whereas some people just simply eat too much. According to the Web site of Dr. Michael D. Myers, who has lectured about and treated obesity and eating disorders since 1980, more than 30 percent of individuals seeking medical treatment for obesity and up to half of individuals being seen in nonmedical weight-reduction programs meet the criteria for binge eating disorder, which is also frequently associated with major depression. While many people will disagree that a culture obsessed with thinness propagates misconceptions about obesity, with some thought people could see that removing the unhealthy advertisements are a good thing.

Yes, there are many children in the world that are dealing with obesity. Advertisement is one of the driving forces behind obesity in children. Because of this claim, many people will say that there are an abundance of reasons as to why children are obese and that the unhealthy food advertisements should not be removed. However, if the fast-food industry is allowed to continue intentionally marketing unhealthy food to children who are already not exercising and living in a culture obsessed with thinness, we can expect to see the obesity rate rise in children in the coming years. We must intervene to save children and try to prevent the high cost of taking care of obese individuals.