So much advertising here, there, everywhere. The book Fast Food Nation written by Eric Schlosser is about the fast food industry in the United States, and the undesirable result the industry has on all those involved with it. The book talks about different advertisement methods used by the fast food industry. There is discussion around advertising to children. As well as the subsequent health problems resulting from the consumption of fast food. In addition the obesity brought about by these eating habits is emphasized as well. Advertising happens to be the vehicle by which this product becomes more visible through society. It is hard to do anything now a days without running into a billboard advertising the best fast food deal out there.
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Amy M. Bernhardt et al. in their article “How Television Fast Food Marketing Aimed at Children Compares with Adult Advertisements” they point out “Logo depictions were present in all advertisements. The percentage of frames with logos was significantly higher in children’s (33%) compared to adult advertisements (23%)” (3). There is direct intent to create associations, and the industry knows how to do it. Children’s minds are like sponges they tend to absorb just about anything. Furthermore, most children grow up recognizing the signs or logos of fast food joints before they can even read. These images and messages are constantly being pounded in to their little minds like a broken record. It is hypnotizing how much repetition there is in advertisement. Add a cute cuddly character to the mix and children are more likely to remember the brand. Schlosser reports “A 1991 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that nearly all of America’s six-year olds could identify Joe Camel, who was just as familiar to them as Mickey Mouse” (43). Without direction children will struggle to understand what advertisement is beneficial and what advertisement is …show more content…
The familiarity alone makes for great comfort food when enjoying a juicy hamburger at a fast food joint. If this is a routine event, these types of eating habits will most definitely have a huge impact on any individual’s health whether young or old. Schlosser writes “A recent study by half a dozen researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that the rate of American obesity was increasing in every state and among both sexes, regardless of age, race, or education level” (240). It is quite sad to see these huge corporations profiting at the expense of children’s health and well-being. Schlosser emphasizes “Severely obese American children, aged six to ten, are now dying from heart attacks caused by their weight”
Amy M. Bernhardt et al. in their article “How Television Fast Food Marketing Aimed at Children Compares with Adult Advertisements” they point out “Logo depictions were present in all advertisements. The percentage of frames with logos was significantly higher in children’s (33%) compared to adult advertisements (23%)” (3). There is direct intent to create associations, and the industry knows how to do it. Children’s minds are like sponges they tend to absorb just about anything. Furthermore, most children grow up recognizing the signs or logos of fast food joints before they can even read. These images and messages are constantly being pounded in to their little minds like a broken record. It is hypnotizing how much repetition there is in advertisement. Add a cute cuddly character to the mix and children are more likely to remember the brand. Schlosser reports “A 1991 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that nearly all of America’s six-year olds could identify Joe Camel, who was just as familiar to them as Mickey Mouse” (43). Without direction children will struggle to understand what advertisement is beneficial and what advertisement is …show more content…
The familiarity alone makes for great comfort food when enjoying a juicy hamburger at a fast food joint. If this is a routine event, these types of eating habits will most definitely have a huge impact on any individual’s health whether young or old. Schlosser writes “A recent study by half a dozen researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that the rate of American obesity was increasing in every state and among both sexes, regardless of age, race, or education level” (240). It is quite sad to see these huge corporations profiting at the expense of children’s health and well-being. Schlosser emphasizes “Severely obese American children, aged six to ten, are now dying from heart attacks caused by their weight”