My point: I think that TV advertising is the single greatest factor contributing to obesity. People, especially children, tend to purchase and consume foods that are more widely advertised. The problem is that advertised foods are the most highly processed and packaged foods. This is leading to the obesity epidemic.

Food is supposed to nourish, replenish, and sustain the body. When you turn food into a major corporate for-profit venture, everything gets screwed up. Food conglomerates care more about their balance sheets then they do about consumer health. This is a simple fact. It is not necessarily anyone’s fault, but it is a result of the commodification of food in our market system.

Food is one of the most advertised commodities on television. In 2001, U.S. companies spent $3.5 billion on fast-food advertising, and another $5.8 billion on other food categories. Nearly $1 billion was spent on advertising for the top five soda brands.

Food advertising influences the way people think and the choices they make. The consumption of advertised foods is much higher than foods that are not advertised. Children exposed to more food advertising have been found to choose the products advertised at significantly higher rates than children not exposed to the advertisements. So what happens? You watch more TV, you eat more junk food. This is a blatant victimization of children.

The food industry and policymakers have a responsibility to encourage the creation and promotion of healthier foods. The problem is that so much money is tied up between politicians and major food corporations. As usual, the consumer is being screwed and the corporations are making out like bandits.

As consumers, we can make the decision to purchase healthier foods. As people, we need to work to build awareness about this issue, especially in schools. To read more click here.

-Ro