Roosevelt LarkinsEnglish 1001Professor AndrusSpring Term 2014Food Advertising to ChildrenWe focus on advertising and children for two general reasons. First of all because children are children and are considered separately. Secondly, it is because children will become adults. Advertising therefore influences behavior during childhood and continues to do so into adulthood. Advertising aimed at children rarely receives good press and remains a controversial topic in a wider context. Ads from major companies target children for a variety of reasons. Children are more likely to be scammed by athlete-sponsored sugary food advertisements. As professional athletes become role models for children, companies hire them to sell their products. Children influenced by these advertisements convince their parents to buy them these foods. Without exercise and a healthy lifestyle, these advertisements promoting high-fat foods lead to childhood obesity. Childhood obesity is a serious problem affecting the United States. This is alarming because, once acquired, it is very difficult to get rid of excess weight, and obesity is associated with an increased risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer, as well as a shorter life expectancy. Children are now heavier than before and as more and more children spend time at home watching television, they see more advertising. More advertising means more money spent by parents on foods that are unhealthy. In addition to using athletes, popular cartoon characters are used to make the product appear "kid-friendly" and may include catchy songs, bright colors, and animals. It is known that there is a link between advertisements from companies marketing products aimed at children and the increase in childhood obesity. Marketing aimed at children of c...... middle of paper ......ive towards restaurants that are not interested. To achieve this goal, children's menus, child-targeted marketing and toy distribution practices were examined before and after implementation of the ordinance in fast-food restaurants affected by the ordinance compared to same-chain restaurants that did not were affected by the ordinance. Restaurants affected by the ordinance The ordinance appears to have had only a slight positive effect on the restaurant. These first steps against large fast food chains advertising unhealthy meals to children should be taken by other large food chains in states across the country. Serve healthier meals to children and still include the accompanying toy in children's meals. Having healthier meals will ensure that children continue to purchase food. Healthier meals away from home will also lead children to want healthier meals at home and will make life easier for parents.