Obesity is a prevalent health complication that is affecting children across the United States. A child is considered obese when their weight is twenty percent higher than the ideal weight for a boy or girl of their age and height. Several factors including poor diet, lack of exercise, genetics, environment and socioeconomic status are linked to causing unnecessary weight gain in children. Many children lack the knowledge needed to be conscious of their health. They are unaware of the damage their body is enduring as a result of the poor health choices they are making. It is important that children learn to value their health especially while they are young. Food marketing makes it challenging to instill proper eating habits due to
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However, there are simple procedures the government could ask companies to follow. On average kids watch over ten advertisements a day that are associated with food (Prevention Institute). The government could ban junk food advertisements during children 's programs shown on television. For example, on weekdays from 6 to 9 AM and 4-9 PM and 6AM-12PM and 4PM-9PM on weekends companies would not be able to advertise junk food. The government could also regulate, by requesting junk food companies to promote the idea of moderation and exercise in regards to consuming their products. For example, a commercial for a candy bar could show someone eating the product and then going for a walk to burn off the extra calories. Doing this would not only allow companies to continue promoting their product but it would send an important message to children. By incorporating moderation and exercise children would learn that as long as portions are controlled and they stay active it is okay to occasionally indulge. Many companies have started to offer healthier products such as low calorie or low fat. The government could require companies to advertise the healthiest version of their products. An example of this would be Frito Lay advertising their baked chips instead of regular chips. The baked chips have less fat which would make them a healthier alternative. Regulating advertisements does not have to be difficult, as you can see there are several simple adjustments that could be made in order to ensure children are exposed to healthy foods and positive
However, there are simple procedures the government could ask companies to follow. On average kids watch over ten advertisements a day that are associated with food (Prevention Institute). The government could ban junk food advertisements during children 's programs shown on television. For example, on weekdays from 6 to 9 AM and 4-9 PM and 6AM-12PM and 4PM-9PM on weekends companies would not be able to advertise junk food. The government could also regulate, by requesting junk food companies to promote the idea of moderation and exercise in regards to consuming their products. For example, a commercial for a candy bar could show someone eating the product and then going for a walk to burn off the extra calories. Doing this would not only allow companies to continue promoting their product but it would send an important message to children. By incorporating moderation and exercise children would learn that as long as portions are controlled and they stay active it is okay to occasionally indulge. Many companies have started to offer healthier products such as low calorie or low fat. The government could require companies to advertise the healthiest version of their products. An example of this would be Frito Lay advertising their baked chips instead of regular chips. The baked chips have less fat which would make them a healthier alternative. Regulating advertisements does not have to be difficult, as you can see there are several simple adjustments that could be made in order to ensure children are exposed to healthy foods and positive