Every nation in the world now
faces one of the most dangerous epidemics of all times. It is obesity and it is
causing major financial and health problems. Today’s cultural media and
advertising are a large factor in the increasing rates of obesity. We are all
eating ourselves to death and our new culture supports these eating disorders. Al
this happens because we are all slaves to what is called ad which is adding to
our troubles in life unconsciously.
One major cause of the rise in
obesity is false advertising. We are all continuously bombarded by all kinds of
subtle and blunt advertisement from all sides. It comes in the forms of
slogans, notices, trademarks, logos, and what not. We see it on the book cover,
on movie screens, TV, in cultural shows, public places etc. we are surrounded
by it everywhere and we do not realize its hidden implications. Not only
commercial products, but also persons and our very thoughts are products of
advertisement. Hence it is absolutely essential to be aware of its ill effects
on our life.
Advertisement is a systematic
effort to influence our opinions, to win us over to a certain point of view. It
has nothing to do with truth or falsehood. It simply wants us to believe the
messages conveyed. Often it uses subtle deceptions to influence our views. All
the advertisements succeed because they appeal to our emotions and not to the
intellect. It is hard and difficult to resist temptations and to think boldly
and draw our own conclusions. It is comfortable to let others think for us and
do for us. These are days when ignorance is bliss.
Obesity in schoolchildren has
increased in the last decade. The impact of obesity is that more children are
now with lifestyle diabetes as a result of their diets and less exercise. This
is a worldwide problem that is not to be overlooked because diabetes and
obesity are two of the leading risk factors of heart diseases.
High-calorie, high-fat and
ready-made foods are easily available and children, even adults, love them.
Fast foods and processed snacks like potato chips and biscuits can be addictive
once children’s palates get used to them. TVs, and home computers hooked to the
internet are filled with this kind of ads that drive them to go for the type of
food that will make them pot bellied and obese .Studies have shown a strong
link between overweight and the time spent in front of the TV and the computer.
Subliminal advertising Messages are carried by the commercials of fast foods,
sugar-loaded drinks and candies. Children as well as grownups bombarded by
these advertisements develop an unhealthy desire for unhealthy foods.
Over-emphasis
on School Grades - Concerns about doing well in school have led to parents and children
becoming more prone to believing in these ads. They start using these advertised
products -usually foods of little or no nutritional value, and foods that are
simply unhealthy.
Experts admit that toddler years are very
crucial in shaping physical growth as well as forming food habits and
preferences. As children approach late childhood, between 7 and 10, it becomes
more difficult to change their eating habits or reduce the unwanted kilos.
It is during
these early years that eating attitudes
develop, including the type of foods considered ‘normal’ and whether
meal times should be regarded as a side-activity while watching television when
they get loaded with ideas of becoming smart
and intelligent through the words of their icons in life who
unfortunately appear in all these ads as propagandists. It is time we realized
why these people do as they do and stopped believing in their words and started
using our own intellect in choosing the right types of food for kids and
ourselves for a better and happy and healthy life.
