In recent years, obesity has emerged as a global health concern. Although most people dismiss it as a cosmetic issue, obesity is a critical condition that holds adverse health implications. Research and studies have established obesity as a prime cause of heart disease, cancer, diabetes and other diet reacted illnesses. Scientifically, obesity is excessive body fat or BMI (Body Mass Index) above 30. Obese people find it challenging to do manual tasks or any form of physically demanding job. According to Almuhanna et al., “cases of childhood obesity have doubled in the past century, and the trend is worryingly increasing in the present era” (75). In contemporary society, obesity cuts across all countries, cultures, ages, and religions. Currently, health experts are paying keen attention to childhood obesity as a present and future global health threat. Although several factors like lack of physical activity, hormonal changes, and medication links are established causes of childhood obesity, I think that the consumption of fast foods is the main reason behind the escalating cases of childhood obesity. Several interdependent aspects like advertisements, proximity, modernity, and culture make fast food the principal cause of childhood obesity.
Millions of people globally have access to the internet, television, and social networking platforms in a society denoted by an explosion of digital technology. The youth make up a larger population of television viewers, web browsers, and social media users. These three channels provide them endless information, such as advertisements, promotions, and competitions. Upon noticing this, fast food companies have taken it higher to flood these communication channels with numerous advertisements for unhealthy foods.
As noted by Beales, most television advertisements on food products are about high-calorie foods, often not considered healthy (190). Take, for instance, any person who managed to glimpse a television screen and witnessed that television was full of advertisements, particularly for high-calorie food and beverages. Multinational companies like Coca-Cola, Pepsi, and Burger King are experts in this game. One notable feature of these advertisements is that they emphasize the “coolness” associated with consuming their products. Typically, these advertisements entice children into consuming unhealthy foods, leading to obesity.
Most fast-food companies now rely on digital technology to boost their sales and profits. Like in the case with television, they use social media like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram in popularizing their brands. Doub et al acknowledges that across all countries, children have limited access to social media platforms. However, their parents are avid social media users. By putting hundreds of fast-food advertisements on the internet, fast-food companies create virtual trends that most users are likely to follow and purchase such foods. In one way or another, these products reach children who repeatedly consume them and become obese.
Video games are increasingly becoming part of the ordinary kid’s play. On average, most children spend an hour playing computer games. As noted by Reisch et al, fast food companies also use advertisement laced games in enticing children to purchase fast foods. Fast food companies like Burger King and McDonald’s have employed this technique successfully in luring young customers to buy their products. In advertising, most fast-food companies purchase rights to use famous or trending cartoons, actors, or musicians in endorsing their products.
Proximity is a crucial factor for all types of businesses. Fast food store owners and companies seem to master this idea excellently. Through observation, a fast-food store is a common feature across most neighbourhoods in the United States. Any person might think these joints aim to bring food “closer” to the people. However, these stores, joints, or cafes profit from selling unhealthy, high-calorie food to the residents.
Fast food joints choose specific areas everyone must pass through when going out of the neighbourhood to school, work, or any other business. These stores aim at selling junk food such as snacks to children going or coming from school. With parents often too busy to cook, these stores provide snacks like burgers and soda to unknowing child customers who often become addicted to unhealthy eating habits” Reiley acknowledges that fast food joints rarely sell fruits or diet soda to these children. Apart from the neighbourhoods, fast food joints are conveniently located where children are always present, like nearby parks, playgrounds, or malls. Most parts of the world are currently experiencing urbanization. With urbanization, fast food companies seek to expand their profits by getting new clients. Among these customers, a sizeable portion is children. As Vaida asserts, “fast food companies are willing to go to any extent to entice children into purchasing and consuming fast foods” (356).
While it is untrue that fast food companies only stock high-calorie foods in their stores, it is critical to note that the energy they employ in advertising and selling fast food to children is not the same when selling unprocessed foods or fruits. Most sales, discounts, and offers revolve around fancy fast foods like burgers, pizza, and ice cream. Fast food store owners or companies know children are highly vulnerable to getting hooked on these products. According to Cantor et al., “most restaurants and fast-food joints include high-calorie drinks in “combo” meals”. Like any other marketing strategy, these meals capture children’s attention, leading to repetitive consumption, addiction and childhood obesity. As much as other experts refute this fact, it is agreeable that the proximity of fast-food stores is linked with child obesity. Recent research indicates that closer proximity to fast-food stores increases the risk of children becoming obese. Currently, neighborhoods in the United States have evolved into “food swamps,” like restaurants and food stores selling unhealthy foods flooded the areas.
Health experts point out the modern sedentary lifestyle as a prime cause of obesity. In modern society, most people rarely engage in physical activities due to technology. Thanks to technology, people no longer need to go to the movies as they have Netflix, YouTube, and other online streaming services at home. Hours spent streaming movies or playing online games result in laxity and feelings of tiredness. According to Fox et al., “Such a lifestyle sets precedence for uncontrolled o consumption of high-calorie foods”. While children play online games or watch movies, they consume fast foods like fries, popcorn, and potato chips. Fast food chains further encourage this unhealthy habit by offering free home deliveries. Fast food companies use home deliveries to boost client loyalty and sales while pretending to be concerned with the customer’s comfort and convenience. Besides, home deliveries eliminate the possibility of purchasing healthy foods. Using this strategy, fast food companies beat the competition. This strategy hinders the preparation and consumption of healthy food across many households in the United States. It is critical to note that this trend is increasingly gaining traction in modern society. Most parents or caregivers often do not see the need to go out or order fresh and unprocessed foods to prepare for their children.
Although modern technology plays a principal role in promoting unhealthy eating habits, other factors also count. As noted by Naganuri et al., trends encouraging eating out are likely to result in child obesity (87). Eating out exposes children to the risk of having fancy in place of healthy foods. It usually happens as parents and children put health considerations aside so they can have a good time. Some other reasons for unhealthy eating are way beyond our control. For instance, as the world struggles with the COVID-19 pandemic, most children are likely to consume fast foods and become obese as strict rules limiting social interaction continue to apply.
Unfavorable economic times adversely affect the availability and access to quality and nutritious food sources. Like other countries, the United States has an impoverished population due to unemployment and inflation. Throughout the world, harsh economic times have pushed people into adopting different lifestyles to survive. Many people in the U.S. work multiple jobs to make ends meet. Thousands more lack employment due to numerous reasons. In such an economic setting, it is difficult to afford quality food. In this context, people take food for survival but not for its nutritional benefit.
Due to the challenges discussed above, many children in the United States do not have access to healthy and quality foods. According to Almuhanna et al., “it is impossible to maintain a consistent diet as parents preoccupied with working, paying bills, and taking care of other pressing needs”. Typically, impoverished households will purchase readily available food to quell hunger without much regard for consumption’s quality or health implications. Fast food companies and stores take this opportunity to exploit helpless clients into consuming unhealthy food and drinks. It is crucial to examine how economic aspects link to childhood obesity. A background analysis is vital in providing insight into the prime cause of obesity in children. Despite that, most studies associate high-calorie food intake with poverty. However, other studies indicate that regardless of economic status, all people consume fast foods.
As stated, advertisements and modernity have boosted the intake of fast foods in contemporary society. However, these factors rely heavily on the contemporary culture. Culture dictates many aspects of all communities. Pachucki et al. note that the link between fast foods and child obesity starts at home. In many households, parents have developed a culture of consuming high-calorie foods as treats to children during eat-outs, birthdays, or other family occasions (385). This culture has taught many children that fast foods taste better, look better, and are healthier than unprocessed foods like vegetables and fruits. Due to this, children develop a systemic preference for fast foods over healthy foods. For instance, it is agreeable that most children will find it easier to consume soft drinks than have fresh fruit. With such a culture in place, it is hard to convince children to have a healthy diet.
Most parents often think that one way of getting children to be obedient is by granting them every wish they make. Due to the formation of a pessimistic culture against healthy foods, most parents find themselves falling into repetitive and perhaps endless demands of fast foods from their children. Taking packed lunches and home-prepared meals is useful in sheltering children from consuming fast foods during outings and picnics.
Like many other modern aspects, the culture of glorifying fast foods to the detriment of staying healthy is hurting humanity. According to Naganuri et al., “nowadays, most kids are growing with the notion that fast foods are better” (85). This phenomenon explains why child obesity cases are increasing. Parents are not the only ones to blame for this scenario; fast food producers and institutions are to blame, too. It is quite unfortunate that regardless of whatever factors, children will eventually get to consume fast foods. If they do not eat at home, they will have it in school as many cafeterias still stock these unhealthy foods. The problem is that if left unchecked, this culture will proceed to the next generations. With such a trend, cases of child obesity will increase, and soon, there will be a whole new health situation to overcome.
Conclusively, high-calorie foods are more popular and favoured by contemporary culture. Most children are susceptible to unhealthy foods that cause obesity. Secondly, fast food companies are all over the world, with their meticulous marketing strategies aiming to get more customers and profits. As noted by Poti et al., fast food joints target children because they are easier to convince and never consider the nutritional or health effects of consuming fast foods (168). Thirdly, fast food consumption depends on a favourable culture that glorifies it. The modern lifestyle fuels the fire set by fast foods by encouraging physical inactivity.
In light of the above factors, fast foods emerge as a prime cause of obesity among children in the U.S.A. However, other significant factors like lack of physical activity, psychological factors like emotional distress, overeating, illnesses like hypothyroidism and insulin resistance, frequency of eating, and medications cause childhood obesity. Besides, fast foods cannot be the only obesity-causing foods. Some fruits like bananas contain high calories and can lead to obesity. Most of the factors causing obesity are also interconnected, making it hard to blame childhood obesity on one aspect. However, only a few cases stem from hormonal alterations and medication. A multidimensional approach is vital in addressing childhood obesity. However, regulating the consumption of fast foods is essential in curbing the increasing cases of childhood obesity in the U.S.
Works Cited
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Reiley, Laura. “What Parents Should Know About How Living Near Fast-Food Outlets Could Affect Their Children”. Https://Www.Washingtonpost.Com, 2020, https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2019/10/29/what-parents-should-know-about-how-living-near-fast-food-outlets-could-affect-their-kids/. Accessed 6 Dec 2020.
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