Education and Marketing of Food Choices to Children

Education and Marketing of Food Choices to Children

     In an article written by Marion Nestle in June 2006, called “Food and Marketing and Childhood Obesity- A Matter of Policy she highlights the marketing of favorite junk foods in connection with childhood obesity.   Children these days consume more calories than in activity.  This brings an imbalance in everyday life.  In order to answer the problem congress asked the Center of Disease Control to find the cause.  This concluded the creation of the Institute of Medicine (IOM).     One of the studies was that companies were marketing junk food and sweets purposefully to children.  Children have increased their intake of candy, junk food and soft drinks since 1980.    

     The advertising that children see influences their choices.  The company’s marketing to children is not only seen as training children as a consumer, but also freedom of speech.  These advertisers market more junk food than healthy products.  Children are not only receiving these messages through television but also from radio and the internet.  The market that advertises to children tends to convince children that it’s their decision not their parent’s on what to eat.  There have been threats of lawsuits, so companies have made their products with whole wheat or less fat and sugar.  One of these lawsuits took place in Massachusetts regarding Kellogg and Nickelodeon to stop marketing junk food to children.  There are 50 countries that have banned advertisers to market children under the age of twelve.  The author believes that all of society will need to come together in order to rid the nation of childhood obesity. 

     In this article by Marion Nestle I found it informative.   I am a mother of a special needs child.  My son has high functioning Autism, so he can be very picky about his food.   He has a very limited diet.  For example, his diet may consist of mac and cheese, mashed potato, chicken nuggets, apple sauce, popcorn and hamburger.  These food items at times can be tweaked to provide the nutrients that he needs.  I will also at times give him a multi vitamin.  He has been steadily getting better, so this article I felt that it was hard to swallow.   I get it my son needs to get out and play more, but this is a different world than when I grew up.  As I have said before about diet I also do my best to get my children active.     When I read that Congress involved the Center of Disease Control which brought the Institute of Medicine into existents I sighed and my eyes rolled.  The last thing I need is the United States government to tell me what to do as a parent.  This reminds me of the same attitude of the progressive left’s idea that they know what I need to do as a parent.   It is because of the constant idea that the government can fix all problems.   I do my best to substitute his diet the best I can.   If I should want help it will not be from the Center of Disease Control or IOM.  What do they know about parenting?

     This is a capitalistic country.  We make money.  It is what we as Americans do and has led to one of the best economies in the world.  Those who feel they know what is best do not think of the bigger economic picture.  For instance, the idea of bringing a lawsuit against a big company may trickle down throughout the company in a negative conclusion.  These big companies, even though they may be wrong can be taken down with a numerous amounts of lawsuits.  This will cause unemployment for the executives and more importantly for those working under them.  The economy depends on these larger companies to provide a service to Americans.  It is also Americans responsibility to make the best possible decision for themselves and family.  We as a country became an independent from a government that wanted nothing more than to control us.  Why do we want the government to control what we see, eat and feed our families?  

          Marion Nestle also makes her opinion to conclude the piece.  It’s my understanding that all of society is responsible to help with the issue of childhood obesity.  It may very well be helpful to have some help from all of society.   This makes me wonder if I want all of this help.  Where does the help come from?  The so-called help comes from the government.  The government has never been a single parent.  For instance, I was that single parent and it was often cheaper to pick fast food, so that I may spend more time with my children.  I chose fast food sometimes because I wanted to come home and have a quick after dinner pick up then spend time with my family.  It was a life with convenience.    We live in a country of convenience, so it’s not only children who suffer with obesity.  It is also their adult parents.  We as parents have enough of an intrusion into our lives as parents from schools and neighbors that we do not need one more thing to pressure us into not really parenting. 

     In conclusion, the article alarmed me with the knowledge that Congress can go to the Center of Disease Control and IOM in order to find solutions to childhood obesity.  There could and has been lawsuits directed towards companies that just want to make money.  The question remands, why does our economy need to suffer because of more government control?  Our responsibility as parents is to raise children who make the best choices.   This is our job as a parent and if we fail then we shall see the result.  I frequently have to ignore the critics and raise my children the best that I know how.