Although it may be easier for us to blame advertising for the rise in obesity each year, I have my doubts upon whether advertising really influences people to develop unhealthy eating habits. Last week I expressed my feelings on advertising and beauty, and how I believe that photoshopping an image to unattainable perfection has made a strong impact on our society, but I personally do not 100% believe that advertising deliciously unhealthy looking food has an impact on our society in the same way. McDonald's has been in business since 1940, and it is not news to our society that their food is terrible for our bodies. But why do we continue to eat it? Because it tastes good, it's convenient and it's price tag is low and affordable. Of course advertising does play somewhat of a role in our decision making, as we are exposed to tons of food advertisements per day. But I believe, that it's really up to the individual who makes the decision to indulge in an unhealthy meal, as we are the ones in control of our own actions. I think blaming obesity on advertising is more of an excuse than it is a true factor. In this modern world we now live in, there are many advertisements for healthy living. I've actually noticed that nowadays, it has become more of a fad, and more acceptable for an individual to obtain a healthy eating lifestyle and to eat organic, vegan, or gluten-free. We are all very much aware of what foods are considered healthy for us, and which ones are cancer causing, fattening, etc...so, why is there still a rise in obesity?
Obesity is now known as a form of addiction. It has been said that fast food with high calorie and fat content has the same effect on our brain's as drugs do. And this is what has led me to believe that advertising really has a small amount of responsibility on our societies obesity issue. An individual is going to make the decision to eat the way they want, no matter how many or little advertisements are out there for these food companies. I'm not saying that seeing a delicious fat burger during a television commercial won't spark anybodies interest, but I highly doubt that these commercials (or advertisements) really hold a gun to our societies head and command them to eat their products. I believe it's the taste, convenience and price of these greasy, salty foods that drive us to consume them. People are addicted to the taste, and no matter what, they're always going to eat it, even if they're aware of the effects it has on their bodies. So what I'm trying to say is that, advertising really doesn't force us to drive down to a fast food joint and pig out, we as human beings can make our own decisions, and we are the only ones to blame for indulging in unhealthy foods. There are also a variety of healthier options at most fast food restaurants such as salads, wraps, etc. So, why do people continue to eat the unhealthy options? Because they choose to! And to them it tastes better, and the taste is what drives them to consume it.
"The combination of fat with sugar, or fat with salt seems to have a very particular neuro-chemical effect on the brain...what that does is release certain chemicals that are similar to drugs, like heroin and morphine." – Ann Kelley, professor at University of Wisconsin states (link to article here)
I truly believe that food advertisements have no more impact than any other advertisements such as; clothing, cars, electronics, etc. Just because we're exposed to all sorts of new expensive electronics each day, do we go out and blow all our money on them? No, not likely (for majority of us anyway). So, just because obesity has become such an issue, it seems like it would be an easy target to blame advertising for the problem, when advertising really has little to do with our daily food intake decision making. I believe that obesity is much more complex than being exposed to food advertising, and it really has more to do with genetics, self-control, addiction, and lifestyle.
As for children, I'd have to say that my view is a bit different. As children are so naive, and don't yet obtain the ability to realise right from wrong, so of course if they see their favourite toy being advertised on top of a McDonald's bag, they're going to want it! I remember as a child, begging my mother to bring me to McDonald's just for the toy (I had no interest in the food). I think that it's mainly the responsibility of the parents to teach their child that eating unhealthy food should not be a daily activity, and that it is more of a treat. So, in actuality it's not really advertising that should be held responsible for child obesity either, as the parent should be responsible and wise enough to not feed unhealthy food to their babies. In my experience, I have noticed that majority of obese adults, tend to have obese children. It's not very often you see a fit, healthy parent, with a physically unfit child. This is due to the parents' food decisions influencing the child, and educating them on proper eating habits!
So, when it comes down to it, I think advertising has a small portion of blame on our eating decisions, and it's up to the individual to gain the will power to fight their greasy, unhealthy food wanting needs (or seek professional help when needed). Like I said before, obesity is more than just about advertising, its much more complex and has many factors which contribute to it. We need to open our eyes and realise that our poor eating decisions have consequences, and it's only ourselves we have to blame, not advertising!
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