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| Junk food ads target children |
Studies have been done that show a direct correlation between the increased marketing of junk food to children and the rates of childhood obesity. For example, a study by the University of Michigan found that children who regularly watched TV commercials consumed more junk food than children who watched commercial-free television. In addition, the children who regularly watched TV commercials had a distorted view of healthy portion sizes and choices. The foods that were advertised the most included sugar-sweetened beverages, sweetened cereals, prepackaged snack foods, fast foods, and convenience meals. These foods contain high amounts of sugar, salt, and fat, which lead to weight gain if consumed in excess amounts.
Overall, junk food advertisements are targeting vulnerable, innocent children who don't understand the harms of eating these kind of foods. For my ePortfolio, I am going to research more about how exactly junk food advertisements influence the choices that children make when it comes to eating. In addition, I will discuss a specific example of a company that tried to convince kids to eat a "fourth meal" in their advertisements.
Sam's topic explores the world of advertising, more specifically advertising for junk food. The angle taken on this topic is how the advertisements for junk food on television actually targets children which, in turn, leads to more childhood obesity. This is a topic that I REALLY like. Not only will you be able to provide great information to readers that will teach them about an important subject, but it, in general, just a very interesting piece to cover. This subject is absolutely doable.
ReplyDeleteIn your blog post, I would want to know specifically how these advertisements for junk food are "targeting" children. Is it by making the commercials fun and entertaining to kids , or are the brands specifically advertising the food to be eaten by children. Obviously an important question you will have to answer in your post is how exactly these advertisements correlate and cause a rise in childhood obesity.
In terms of your interviewee on the matter, I am sure there is someone down at the health center, or someone teaching any well-being course that would provide amazing insight into the destruction that junk food can cause. In addition, someone down at the marketing area of UMD can answer questions you have regarding the advertising of these products.
The most important benefit that this topic will provide is the massive amount of statistical information and visuals that you can find regarding the subject. There will be no end to the choices you have in which pictures, or videos to include in your post as well. I really can't think of many concerns that come with this topic. Possibly having too much information so it overwhelms you? In my opinion, that would be a blessing in disguise.
Finally, your audio narration is absolutely conversational. It is succinct in discussing what you will explore, which is exactly how it should be.
I think Sam's topic is very doable and interesting at the same time. She plans to research how junk food advertisements are leading to childhood obesity. I think this topic is doable because it's not too narrow where she would have a hard time finding research and supporting evidence, but not too broad where she would be overwhelmed with the amount of information. I think the topic itself is very interesting and relevant to what is going on in the country today in terms of the problem with obesity.
ReplyDeleteI would like to see the research and studies that back this up to see if there really is a correlation between children watching junk food ads and actually becoming overweight/obese. If possible, I think it would be interesting to see if there is information about how often there are junk food related commercials on networks directed at children like Nickelodeon in comparison to regular channels.
I think a possible interviewee for this topic could be a professor who teaches a class like nutrition (NFSC 100 for example), as they could likely give information on the health content of the junk food shown in these commercials. Another possible interviewee could be a psychology professor who could possibly shed some light on how/why children are affected by these junk food commercials.
I think there are many pros to choosing this topic. One would be the amount of information available for this topic. Between statistics about obesity, junk food commercial air time, studies relating the two, etc, there should be plenty of information to cover the topic. Another pro to this topic is simply that it is very interesting. It is relevant, easy to understand, and relatable to most people since everyone watches TV at some point or another and has seen these commercials. I really can't think of any cons or concerns that I have with this topic - I don't think it is too narrow or broad and I think the angle she plans to take will cover a good amount of information. Maybe one thing she could explore is if there is a difference in how junk food advertisements affect children vs. teens vs. adults. However, I think the topic is very good as it is and really can't think of any real cons.
I thought her audioboo was very conversational and explained exactly what she will be discussing in her post. However, she was cut off at the end so she probably could have edited this to fix it.