Argument Essay

Fast Food

            The fast food industry is targeting young children.  They are spending millions of dollars advertising to children. They are using flashy ads, and popular toys to reel children in.  With little regard to the health risk that is associated with a diet high in fast food.

            The fast food industry has discovered that young children have buying power.  Armed with that information the fast food industry has directed their advertising towards children.  They place ads where they know young children will see them.  The fast food industry spends millions of dollars on television ads.  These ads run during prime viewing times for children.  They also make sure their products are strategically placed where children will see them.  The fast food industry spends millions on product placement.  They are making sure that they children see their favorite actors or sports figure endorsing their product.  (NCBI)

            Another way the fast food industry is targeting young children is by having that cute little toy in the box.  They put that cute little toy in the box to encourage brand loyalty.  It is not a coincidence that the week the new Toy Story movie comes out you can find Buzz and Woody in the kid’s meal box.  The fast food industry has learned to get the children when they are young.  “Research has shown that brand loyalty begins in children as young as two years old”(mediaawareness).  They know if they can hook a child at two years old that will result in a customer for life. 

            A diet high in fats food can lead to many health risks.  Fast food does not provide the essential vitamins and minerals a body needs to develop.  Children’s bones and muscles are in an important stage of growth, and having a diet high in fast foods will have a negative effect on their growth and development.  (livestrong)

            An extremely important fact to point out is childhood obesity is directly linked to consuming too much fast food.  One cheeseburger has about 500 calories, and then add an order of french fries that has about another 500 calories.  An active five year old child should consume around 1600 calories per day, so that 1000 calories worth of burgers and fries is more than half the calories they should have in a day.  (NCBI)

            Obesity increases the odds of being inflicted with other health problems.  There is a direct link between diabetes and obesity.  The more you weigh the greater your risk of type 2 diabetes.  Obesity also puts you at greater risk of developing certain kinds of cancer.  The odds of developing heart disease, asthma, and depression also increase with every extra pound.  To compound the situation the more obese you are the less active you become making it that much harder to burn off the extra empty calories you consumed. (livestrong)

            The fast food industry has tried to make some small improvements in their menu selection.  Now with the kid’s meal you have a choice of milk and apples instead of soda and fries.  Are those changes enough for the fast food industry to get away with?  Should the industry be held to a higher standard? 

Children depend on their parents to guide them, and look out for them.  Children aren’t able to make an informed decision about what this food is doing to their bodies.  They only know that they like the food and they want the toy that comes with it.

Parents want their children to grow up happy and healthy.  With that being said if you knew there was a way to keep your children healthier why wouldn’t you do it?  I’m not saying to never let your children eat fast food again.  Fast food just like everything else is fine in moderation. 

I feel that the parents should always have the right to choose what is best for their child. I don’t think that the government should be making laws in regards to the fast food industry.  For example California banded toys in kid’s meals. I do feel the fast food industry should be making an effort to improve the quality of the food they are offering.  I also feel the industry should limit how they market to children.

Works Cited

“Food Advertising and Marketing Directed at Children.” NCBI. 10 Feb 2004. Web. 10 May 2012.

“Health Risks Involved When Eating Fast Food.” Livestrong. Web. 15 May 2012.

 “Home Cooking.” USA Today. Web. 02 May 2012.

Kail, Robert. “Children and Their Development.” Boston: Pearson Education Inc.(2012): 120-27.  Print.

McNeal, James. “The Kids Market.” 1999. Web. 05 May 2012.

Photo Essay

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Fast Food Follies

Chicken Nuggets (McDonalds)

I feel this advertisement implies that you should reward yourself with food for having a good hair day.  The fast food industry spends a magnitude of money trying to get us to buy their food, and Americans are buying fast food in staggering amounts.  CBS News says” This year Americans will spend over $110 billion on fast food more than they’ll spend on movies, books, magazines, newspapers, videos, and recorded music combined”(qtd.FinancialNut). With the amount Americans spend on fast food does the fast food industry really need to encourage us to reward ourselves with food?  I am hoping through pictures I can bring this issue to your attention.  I am also hoping through pictures I can show you a healthier and fun solution.

Happy Meal (Margoian)

I wonder how much obligation the fast food industry should have.  The fast food industry purposely advertises with the intent to hook children on their food. “Brand marketing must begin with children.  Even if a child does not buy the product and will not for many years… the marketing must begin in childhood” (McNeal).  The fast food industry has enormous resources that they use to fund their advertising directed at children, so the children will nag their parents for these meals.  Should parents have to fight these giants on their own, or should this be a case of personal choice?  Parents should be able to choose what their children eat, and as an occasional treat it is harmless.

                                                                                                            Fast Food Project (LiveWell)

The LiveWell group decided to do an experiment with four leading fast food places. This is what they found “Our fast "food" display is now 2 years old. The word food is questionable, since the bread-like and meat-like substances have not molded or spoiled in any way. Bugs won't even bother with it. Please think twice about giving this to your kids. You have a choice, but they don't. We truly are what we eat” (LiveWell).  I found this photo shocking.  Do you really want to feed this to your family?  I think the fact that even bugs won’t eat it should speak volumes to why we shouldn’t put this food in our children. 

Preparing food at home gives you control of what you are putting into your body.  Eating at home you consume 50% less calories, fat, and sodium.  The food is healthier for you, and you are more likely to eat more fruits and vegetables.  Eating more fruits and vegetables reduce your risk of some cancers. (usatoday) Home prepared food can be just as fun to eat as fast food.  If you are creative you can turn raisins and celery into ants on a log.  Involving the children in the preparation of their food will strengthen the family bond, and teach the children about the food they are eating.  My oldest nephew helped me make this lunch.

                                                                                               

I think we all know that family meal time is beneficial for our children.  Research shows preparing and eating meals together as a family improves the family bond.  Family meal time increases the likelihood of healthy eating habits carrying over to adulthood.  Children who have meals with their families on a regular bases have better grades in school, and are less likely to engage in risky behaviors. (heraldpress).   We all want to give our children the best possible advantages in life and eating together can help provide this benefit.  My niece and nephews have just as much fun eating their homemade lunch as they do when I take them out for lunch.

                                                                                                                       

Reward your children with outdoor activities.  My niece and nephews enjoy being able to go outside and play with their family.  The health benefits for your children are huge.  Playing outside for 30 minutes a day will make a huge impact in their health.  Children who play outside have better immune systems, and do better in school.  (Kail)  I feel it is important to teach our children how to reward themselves with physical activities they enjoy; instead of having them soothe themselves with food.   You can make exploring outside a family affair.  A family that plays together stays together.

Works Cited

  “Fast Food Project.” LiveWell Wellness Center. Photograph. 01March 2012. Web. 05 May 2012.

“Home Cooking.” USA Today. Web. 02 May 2012.

Kail, Robert. “Children and Their Development.” Boston: Pearson Education Inc.(2012): 120-27.  Print.

Margion. “Happy Meal.” Photograph. Web. 05 May 2012.

McNeal, James. “The Kids Market.” 1999. Web. 05 May 2012.

 “Whatever Happened to Dinner?” Herald Press. Web. 01 May 2012.