Fast Food Ads Are Responsible For Your Fat Kids

[Conan71]

Are you freaking kidding me?  Just how big does the nanny state need to get?

"TV advertisements for sugary and fatty foods are playing a role in childhood obesity and ought to be taken off the air, a leading group of pediatricians says.

In a policy statement released Monday, the American Academy of Pediatrics' Council on Communications and Media rips "the media" for contributing to child and adolescent obesity, ticking off the many ways in which screen time is a negative influence. The group called on doctors to ask Congress and regulatory groups to ban advertisements for junk food and fast food during kids' programming, as well as advertisements targeted to children via cellphone and other media."

http://www.latimes.com/health/boostershots/la-heb-fast-food-tv-ads-20110627,0,4493308.story

It's not fast food ads which are making children obese, it's lazy parents.  Quit making corporations scapegoats for stupid and irresponsible people.  Aside from that, I believe we start getting into First Amendment rights here.

[Cats Cats Cats]

Are you freaking kidding me?  Just how big does the nanny state need to get?

"TV advertisements for sugary and fatty foods are playing a role in childhood obesity and ought to be taken off the air, a leading group of pediatricians says.

In a policy statement released Monday, the American Academy of Pediatrics' Council on Communications and Media rips "the media" for contributing to child and adolescent obesity, ticking off the many ways in which screen time is a negative influence. The group called on doctors to ask Congress and regulatory groups to ban advertisements for junk food and fast food during kids' programming, as well as advertisements targeted to children via cellphone and other media."

http://www.latimes.com/health/boostershots/la-heb-fast-food-tv-ads-20110627,0,4493308.story

It's not fast food ads which are making children obese, it's lazy parents.  Quit making corporations scapegoats for stupid and irresponsible people.  Aside from that, I believe we start getting into First Amendment rights here.

So would alcohol and cigarette ads during cartoons work for you as well?  Just takign it to the extreme.

[guido911]

I think their hearts are in the right place Conan, but ultimately you are right that we should start with looking at the home before elsewhere.

[RecycleMichael]

I question the impact television has on our children's lives. I watched Yogi Bear over and over and I have never stole a pic a nic basket.

[we vs us]

Stupid pediatricians.  What do they know?

[carltonplace]

Stupid pediatricians.  What do they know?

They know that kids are fat through observation
They've confirmed that the causes of fat kids are poor diet and lack of excercise.
They are surmising that TV ads lead to the bad diet choices <-this is the part they don't actually know.

[nathanm]

They are surmising that TV ads lead to the bad diet choices <-this is the part they don't actually know.

Or maybe they do. I'd be shocked if the NIH hadn't funded at least one half million dollar study on the subject.

[Cats Cats Cats]

I think their hearts are in the right place Conan, but ultimately you are right that we should start with looking at the home before elsewhere.

This is obviously an over reaction to the real epidemic.  Children want the crap they see on TV when they are younger.  I wonder what would happen if all the advertisements were for vegetables?  I think they should get a few kids and replace all advertisements with vegetables and see what happens.

[pmcalk]

They know that kids are fat through observation
They've confirmed that the causes of fat kids are poor diet and lack of excercise.
They are surmising that TV ads lead to the bad diet choices <-this is the part they don't actually know.

If there were no direct correlation between tv ads and consumer choices, why would McDonalds spend 1.2 billion dollars on advertising?  If advertising didn't actually work, no one would spend money on it.

I understand that ultimately the diet choices of a child is the responsibility of the parent, but any mom or dad who's had a child melt down in the grocery store, insisting that every other kid in the country gets to eat chocolate frosted sugar bomb cereal, can appreciate the frustration at child-centered advertising.

[RecycleMichael]

I understand that ultimately the diet choices of a child is the responsibility of the parent, but any mom or dad who's had a child melt down in the grocery store, insisting that every other kid in the country gets to eat chocolate frosted sugar bomb cereal, can appreciate the frustration at child-centered advertising.

You mean go cukoo for Cocoa Puffs?

[Conan71]

If there were no direct correlation between tv ads and consumer choices, why would McDonalds spend 1.2 billion dollars on advertising?  If advertising didn't actually work, no one would spend money on it.

I understand that ultimately the diet choices of a child is the responsibility of the parent, but any mom or dad who's had a child melt down in the grocery store, insisting that every other kid in the country gets to eat chocolate frosted sugar bomb cereal, can appreciate the frustration at child-centered advertising.

Some parents understand the value of enduring a five minute long fit to enforce that "no" means no.

Personally, I avoid drive throughs, but that's a choice I eventually arrived at.  Learning there's nearly 30 additives in Taco Bell taco meat (amongst other fast food nightmares) and realizing I feel a whole lot better without food additives made the choice easy for me.  

Fortunately, my girls were never big on McDonald's and they were always very active in either cheer or gymnastics so obesity isn't a problem for them.  They liked Sonic or Arby's which I felt offered somewhat better menu choices.

Anything is fine in moderation.  If anything, I think there's almost a habit which forms with parents and has less to do with the advertising.  They rush from their job to pick their child up from school then get them to piano lessons, scouts, gymnastics or whatever.  The child is hungry, and what's convenient?  Being busy is still no excuse.  You can find time for what you consider important.  I seriously doubt I spend more time shopping and cooking for myself than I would eating out three meals a day.  If anything I might even spend a little less time due to less time spent in transit (which raises my blood pressure in Tulsa traffic).

[Teatownclown]

It's not fast food ads which are making children obese, it's lazy parents.  Quit making corporations scapegoats for stupid and irresponsible people.  Aside from that, I believe we start getting into First Amendment rights here.

It's a combination of lousy indoctrination and poor education.  There you go BLAMING the less fortunate. They are victims, believe it or not. Let's just refer to them from here on out as "the victims" and just maybe you will feel better by offering a hand up. You would no more see it as a hand out.

What separates the US from the rest the world when it comes to "fat"? One night, I was amazed at all the hangerovers on the edge of their Brady Theater seats. Fat means someone's got a big issue....

[nathanm]

I think they should get a few kids and replace all advertisements with vegetables and see what happens.

Aggressively marketed baby carrots packaged like junk food actually sell very well to kids.

[pmcalk]

Some parents understand the value of enduring a five minute long fit to enforce that "no" means no.

Curious, how often did you take your kids shopping with you when they were young (as compared to how many times your wife did it)?  As a stay-at-home mom, I dragged all three boys to the store weekly (or more often--it is so much fun to discover you are out of milk first thing in the morning), pushed them in those double carts that weigh as much as a minivan, while one colicky baby cried the whole time.  Meanwhile, the toddler, who is grabbing everything off the shelf as we walk by, has to be rushed to the bathroom every 5 minutes because he is being potty trained.  So, when my oldest throws a fit because I won't buy him some crappy cereal, forgive me, but, no, my first thought isn't "hey, what a wonderful opportunity for a teaching moment."  Call me a bad mom.

Personally, I avoid drive throughs, but that's a choice I eventually arrived at.  Learning there's nearly 30 additives in Taco Bell taco meat (amongst other fast food nightmares) and realizing I feel a whole lot better without food additives made the choice easy for me.  

Fortunately, my girls were never big on McDonald's and they were always very active in either cheer or gymnastics so obesity isn't a problem for them.  They liked Sonic or Arby's which I felt offered somewhat better menu choices.

Anything is fine in moderation.  If anything, I think there's almost a habit which forms with parents and has less to do with the advertising.  They rush from their job to pick their child up from school then get them to piano lessons, scouts, gymnastics or whatever.  The child is hungry, and what's convenient?  Being busy is still no excuse.  You can find time for what you consider important.  I seriously doubt I spend more time shopping and cooking for myself than I would eating out three meals a day.  If anything I might even spend a little less time due to less time spent in transit (which raises my blood pressure in Tulsa traffic).

We rarely visit drive ins either.  But I appreciate that my family is in a position in which I can make that decision.  I can stay home and cook healthy meals.  Families who parents work multiple jobs, or single moms who are scrounging to get by, don't pick up fast food for their family because they are lazy.  Really, the biggest travesty is the fact that it can cost less to feed your family at McDonalds than it costs to buy & prepare a healthy meal.  It costs less to buy a gallon of soda than to buy a gallon of milk. 

Regardless of the advertising, my kids will be fine.  But I know that many kids out there don't get the necessary supervision, nor have the parents who appreciate the harmful affects of too much soda and junk food.  Study after study has shown that kids are affected differently than adults by advertisement.  As our nation becomes less and less healthy, you and I will ultimately pay the price through higher healthcare costs.  So, what is so wrong about wanting to tone down the advertisement a bit?  Obviously, it isn't going to cure obesity any more than ending cigarette ads stopped people from smoking.  But it certainly could help some.

[Conan71]

Curious, how often did you take your kids shopping with you when they were young (as compared to how many times your wife did it)?  As a stay-at-home mom, I dragged all three boys to the store weekly (or more often--it is so much fun to discover you are out of milk first thing in the morning), pushed them in those double carts that weigh as much as a minivan, while one colicky baby cried the whole time.  Meanwhile, the toddler, who is grabbing everything off the shelf as we walk by, has to be rushed to the bathroom every 5 minutes because he is being potty trained.  So, when my oldest throws a fit because I won't buy him some crappy cereal, forgive me, but, no, my first thought isn't "hey, what a wonderful opportunity for a teaching moment."  Call me a bad mom.

We rarely visit drive ins either.  But I appreciate that my family is in a position in which I can make that decision.  I can stay home and cook healthy meals.  Families who parents work multiple jobs, or single moms who are scrounging to get by, don't pick up fast food for their family because they are lazy.  Really, the biggest travesty is the fact that it can cost less to feed your family at McDonalds than it costs to buy & prepare a healthy meal.  It costs less to buy a gallon of soda than to buy a gallon of milk. 

Regardless of the advertising, my kids will be fine.  But I know that many kids out there don't get the necessary supervision, nor have the parents who appreciate the harmful affects of too much soda and junk food.  Study after study has shown that kids are affected differently than adults by advertisement.  As our nation becomes less and less healthy, you and I will ultimately pay the price through higher healthcare costs.  So, what is so wrong about wanting to tone down the advertisement a bit?  Obviously, it isn't going to cure obesity any more than ending cigarette ads stopped people from smoking.  But it certainly could help some.

Ahhh, so you were the mother with the three hellions   I always pitied the women trying to herd cats through a department store so my heart goes out to you on those days.

Actually, we both worked, so we generally did shopping together.  Look, I'm not saying we NEVER got terrorized into buying a stuffed animal we didn't need, but I am pointing out there are a lot of parents who simply abdicate their responsibility to showing their kids some restraint and are not a great example because they are junk food addicts as well.  And while we are at it, if they want to improve health via restricting advertising, the biggest favor they could do is do away with coupons for food products, it's usually for canned or boxed poison anyhow.

I will also argue quite strongly that I can put together a quick healthy meal cheaper than a happy meal.  For instance, a black bean & rice burrito for your active little athlete takes 20 minutes of prep and cooking time and you can make enough at one time for an entire week.  Cost for a huge, healthy, and tasty burrito is maybe .50.  Throw in an orange or banana for dessert and that's another .25 to .50.   There's so many other inexpensive and healthy alternatives.  The trick is to figure out when you have the time and cook ahead for the times you don't have time to cook.  The drive through is a cop out.  You don't have to shop at Whole Paycheck to eat healthy either.  There's plenty of healthy choices even at Warehouse Market.

I'm one of the busier people I know and somehow I manage to cook or otherwise prepare all but probably three meals a week.  I work five days a week and generally train (or am going to or returning from) for 2 to 4 hours a night as well as up to 10 hours on weekends or I'm off competing somewhere, manage to keep my house up, and spend about 1/2 my weekends out of town.  The future Mrs. and I usually will cook an overage of proteins on the weekend for re-use during the week, that's another time saver.

It can be done, it's like exercise, you simply have to plan for it.  There's been some initiatives to try and help people in more poverty-riddled areas start making better choices in nutrition as it's no secret that has a whole lot of impact on overall health.  I don't have a problem with social programs like that, I think they are quite worthwhile as is any program which actually improves the human condition.