Works Cited

B, D'Andra. Baton Rouge Lauded for Battling Childhood. Digital image. Redsticknow.

N.p., 06 Dec. 2012. Web. 20 May 2013.

“Childhood Obesity Facts.” Cdc.gov. 14 May 2013.

<http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/childhood.html>.

Chou, Joey and Kane, Jason. “Obesity in America: By the Numbers.”Pbs.org. 2013. 26 Mar 2013.

<http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/2012/05/obesity-in-america-by-the-numbers-1.html>.

Denise. Obesity in Children: Desperation for Substance. Digital image. A Distinctive

World. N.p., 18 Mar. 2011. Web. 20 May 2013.

http://www.outsmarthormones.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/obesity_epidemic.jpg

Denise. Obesity in Children: Desperation for Substance. Digital image. A Distinctive

World. N.p., 18 Mar. 2011. Web. 20 May 2013.

“Fast Food Facts in Brief.” Fastfoodmarketing.org. 2013. 03 March 2013.

<http://www.fastfoodmarketing.org/fast_food_facts_in_brief.aspx>.

“Fast Food Facts in Brief.” Fastfoodmarketing.org. 2013. 03 March 2013.

<http://www.fastfoodmarketing.org/fast_food_facts_in_brief.aspx>.

"Fast Food Statistics." Statistic Brain. N.p., 20 Apr. 2013. Web. 19 May 2013.

<http://www.statisticbrain.com/fast-food-statistics/>.

“Fast Food Statistics.” Statisticbrain.com. 03 March 2012. 03 March 2013.

<http://www.statisticbrain.com/fast-food-statistics/>.

 “Fast Food Statistics.” Statisticbrain.com. 03 March 2012. 03 March 2013.

<http://www.statisticbrain.com/fast-food-statistics/>.

Fast Food Targeted Marketing. N.p.: n.p., n.d. PDF.

<http://www.fastfoodmarketing.org/media/FastFoodFACTS_TargetedMarketing.pdf>.

Fisher, Danielle. “How much can you save by not eating fast food?” Howstuffworks.com.

2013. 13 May 2013.

<http://recipes.howstuffworks.com/menus/how-much-can-you-save-by-not-eating-fast-food2.htm>.

Flickr. Childhood Obesity in America. Digital image. SteadyHealth. SteadyHealth, 13 Sept.

2010. Web. 16 May 2013.

Fromer, Marc, and Michael Merolla. Obesity. Digital image. MAP. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 May 2013.

Fruits and Vegetables. Digital image. Healthy Mind, Healthy Body and Happy Soul. N.p., 27

July 2011. Web. 27 May 2013.

Gmlsc. “Fast Food Ads Versus The Real Thing.” Online video clip. Youtube. Youtube,

26 Apr. 2009. Web 21 May. 2013.

Heart Jump Rope. Digital image. Dalraida Elementary School Panther Pride Association...it's a

PRIDE Thing. N.p., 27 Feb. 2013. Web. 27 May 2013.

<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6Tx7Zw_IPE>.

Isaacs, Scott. “Obesity Epidemic: Part One.” Outsmarthormones.com. 2013. 13 May 2013.

<http://www.outsmarthormones.com/2011/04/06/epidemic/>.

Johnson, Carla K. Little-exercise. Digital image. Center for Behavioral Medicine &

Psychology. Chicago CBM, 5 Apr. 2010. Web. 27 May 2013.

Linn, Ricky. Obesity in America. Digital image. Colassal: Art & Visual Ingenuity. Christopher

Jobson, 18 Oct. 2010. Web. 14 May 2013.

Linn , Ricky. Obesity in America . 2010. Photograph. n.p. Web. 18 May 2013.

<http://www.thisiscolossal.com/2010/10/obesity-in-america-by-ricky-linn/>.

“McDonalds Reveals how Fast Food in Advertisements Look so Yummy: Video.” Inquisitr.com.

02 February 2013.

Meghan. Fast-food-obesity-big. Digital image. Fitnessmash. N.p., 27 Mar. 2011. Web. 19 May 2013.

<http://www.inquisitr.com/258829/mcdonalds-reveals-how-fast-food-in-advertisements-look-so-yummy-video/>.

Michelle, Berg. Hunger=Obesity? Digital image. Food Bank News. N.p., 15 Jan. 2013.

Web. 21 May 2013.

Mindful Motion Physical Therapy. Digital image. Mindful Motion Physical Therapy. N.p., 29

May 2012. Web. 27 May 2013.

Minkin, Tracy and Renaud, Brittani. “America’s Top 10 Healthiest Fast Food Restaurants.”

Health.com. 19 Feb 2009. 15 May 2013. 

<http://www.health.com/health/article/0,,20411588,00.html>.

Morrison, Maureen. “Kids Seeing More Fast-Food Ads?” Ebscohost.com. 29 Apr 2013.

<http://web.ebscohost.com/src/detail?sid=206b39ea-1ec7-42b6-88d1-37518b89fd09%40sessionmgr112&vid=9&hid=120&bdata=JnNpdGU9c3JjLWxpdmU%3d#db=ulh&AN=55170461>.

N.P. “Win the Obesity War… By Banning TV Ads?” Ebscohost.com. 23 Apr 2013.

<http://web.ebscohost.com/src/detail?vid=3&sid=05d3d6cc-130e-4e31-920a-ac69231af4c6%40sessionmgr114&hid=103&bdata=JnNpdGU9c3JjLWxpdmU%3d#db=hxh&AN=35836515>.

Obesity. Digital image. Obesity. Health Media Ventures, Inc., n.d. Web. 16 May 2013.

“Overweight and Obesity.” Cdc.gov. 12 May 2013. 

<http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/adult.html>. 

 “Overweight and Obesity.” Heart.org. 2011. 03 March 2013.

<http://www.heart.org/idc/groups/heart-public/@wcm/@sop/@smd/documents/downloadable/ucm_319588.pdf >.

 “Overweight and Obesity.” Heart.org. 2011. 03 March 2013.

<http://www.heart.org/idc/groups/heart-public/@wcm/@sop/@smd/documents/downloadable/ucm_319588.pdf >.

Patrick, Maggy. “One Food Critic Is Making Healthy Oatmeal His Mission.” Go.com. 25 Feb 2011. 15 May 2013.

<http://abcnews.go.com/US/mcdonalds-wholesome-oatmeal-healthy/story?id=12980427#.UZQa16PD_IU>.

Powell, Lisa. J., Szczypka, Glen and  Chaloupka, Frank, J. “Trends in Exposure to

Television Food Advertisements Among Children and Adolescents in the United States.” Jamanetwork.com. 2013. 18 Apr 2013.

<http://archpedi.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=383707>.

Romanski, Dionne J. "Fast Food Advertising: The Reason for Obesity?" Dionne's I-Search Blog.

N.p., 7 Mar. 2013. Web. 23 May 2013.

<http://romanskiisearch.blogspot.com/>.

Romanski, Dionne. “Obesity.” Animoto.com. 2013. 27 Mar 2013.

<http://animoto.com/play/HrKbSiZZXv89fre4mVWZegm>.

Semmen, Kendra. Running on a Tread Mill. Digital image. Knight News. N.p., 20 Nov.

2012. Web. 27 May 2013.

“The Impact of Food Advertising on Childhood Obesity.” Apa.org. 28 January 2013.

<http://www.apa.org/topics/kids-media/food.aspx>.

Twogood4you1088. “Fast food and Children [Powerful] Advertisement” Online video

clip. Youtube. Youtube, 23 Apr. 2011. Web. 22 May. 2013.

<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0K3F_53Sn34>. 

Youtube Link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkTpnAu4STI

Problem and Solution

         Obesity has been a problem ever since fast food was created. Fast food has influenced Americans weight and health choices. In today’s society, people are always on the go. Fast food has become a convenience rather than a place to go to once in a while.  Fast food advertising plays a big role in how people choose where to eat. There are alternatives you can do to avoid being sucked into a low quality meal.  Advertising influences obesity, by specifically advertising low prices to target families with low income, targeting children and young adults, and also false advertising their products, but there are simple solutions to help lessen the obesity epidemic.

            America was once known as the wealthiest countries in the world, but there are still people trying to make ends meet. Families struggle to put food on the table, but have a few bucks to feed their family on the value menu at McDonalds. Fast food companies know that there are people who can only afford eating at their establishments, so they advertise their dollar menus. The dollar menu grabs a person’s attention, because it means that a cheap meal will take care of their calorie intake for the day.  Families jeopardize their health in order to feed their hungry children

A solution for families, who cannot afford to feed their family, is to buy fresh foods to prepare a home cooked meal. Another alternative is to buy canned fruits and vegetables if there is no access to fresh fruits and vegetables. Pay attention to the sales at the grocery store, and buy store brand names rather than the name brand food items. Also, if you are looking to get healthy, then you can eat smaller portions and the food will last longer. This may sound expensive, but with coupons and learning to be a savvy shopper anyone can save money while being healthy too.

Weight tends to add on gradually, and it is not noticed right at the start. Isaac explains that “A survey conducted by Cogent Research found that the average American female is 5 foot, 4 inches and weighs 164 pounds.  This is a BMI of 28, about 40 pounds overweight.  And, half of Americans are more than 40 pounds overweight.” (1) This should alarm many people, because the fatter the body gets, the harder the body will have to work duing simple activities. This alarmed the majority of my respondents when I conducted a survey back in February. (Romanskiisearch). Also, I found that “Most children under age 6 cannot distinguish between programming and advertising and children under age 8 do not understand the persuasive intent of advertising.” (Impact of Food Advertising 1). The Fast food restaurants target young children and young adults, because the persuasive technique will have more influence on them.

Since “Today’s children, ages 8 to 18, consume multiple types of media (often simultaneously) and spend more time (44.5 hours per week) in front of computer, television, and game screens than any other activity in their lives except sleeping” (Impact of Food Advertising 1) So, [Parents should] “Limit excessive time spent watching TV, video, gaming, or surfing the web.” (Impact of Food Advertising 6). There are more options to eat at rather than the usual McDonalds, Wendy’s or Burger King. Panera is considered fast food, but is one of the healthiest places to grab a quick bite. Panera has over 1,230 locations, so there is a good chance one may

be near you. Minkin and Renaud state “Variety makes it easy for everyone to choose healthy,” Panera, is a great option if you are looking to stay healthy. (1)

            Another evil we are battling is false advertising. Many were fooled when McDonalds started to serve oatmeal. Oatmeal is considered to be a healthy filling breakfast choice. McDonalds was all for selling this product to attract people who may want to order healthy foods on their menu. This quote perfectly explains the shared feelings of many "I think it's misleading to portray this as a healthy breakfast because the McDonald's oatmeal has about the same amount of sugar as a Snickers bar, has about the same amount of calories as one of their hamburgers, costs more than one of their hamburgers," Bittman said. "It's just an odd way to go about serving a healthy breakfast." (1) False advertising not only gets the consumers hope up, but misleads their customers into a different direction.

            When you are craving some oatmeal, it would be healthier if you make your own oatmeal at home. You can buy plain oatmeal and if you like maple and brown sugar, you can decide how much to put in it. Also, instead of the regular maple and brown sugar, you can doll it up with some fresh fruits or spices. This is healthier than going out for fast food oatmeal. You will save all the unwanted calories and shed off your weight in no time.

            The fast food industry has dominated America for quite some time now. Fast food advertising plays a critical role in society today. It is not always about having too many fast food places, but how to use your resources. People will be able to overcome this epidemic, by trading processed foods for fresh fruits and vegetables, using coupons, eating at healthier fast food restaurants, and by choosing alternatives when they can. Fast food can become a life style if you are not careful, but before you take a bite into a Big Mac, ask yourself are you willing to eat yourself to death?

    

Works Cited

Fisher, Danielle. “How much can you save by not eating fast food?” Howstuffworks.com.

2013. 13 May 2013.

<http://recipes.howstuffworks.com/menus/how-much-can-you-save-by-not-eating-fast-food2.htm>.

Isaacs, Scott. “Obesity Epidemic: Part One.” Outsmarthormones.com. 2013. 13 May 2013.

<http://www.outsmarthormones.com/2011/04/06/epidemic/>.

Patrick, Maggy. “One Food Critic Is Making Healthy Oatmeal His Mission.” Go.com. 25

Feb 2011. 15 May 2013.

<http://abcnews.go.com/US/mcdonalds-wholesome-oatmeal-healthy/story?id=12980427#.UZQa16PD_IU>.

Romanski, Dionne J. "Fast Food Advertising: The Reason for Obesity?" Dionne's I-Search Blog.

N.p., 7 Mar. 2013. Web. 23 May 2013.

<http://romanskiisearch.blogspot.com/>.

Animoto Video

Make your own photo slideshow at Animoto.