The Role of the Media in the Childhood Obesity - Research Paper Example

 Media Moves in America Outline: Obesity is a disease state which is now turning into a matter of global concern because of the increase in the statistics associated with the pathology. This condition serves as an underlying cause for many degenerative diseases which include diabetes mellitus and diseases of the major organs systems of the body. Obesity is a condition which is not restricted to adults but it also affects a large number of children as well. This can be attributed to genetic factors. But nowadays the sedentary lifestyle and the decrease in physical activity along with increased intake of an unbalanced diet can serve as reasons for this condition. Media also serves as a leading factor of obesity. This is because firstly it limits the physical activities of children because they stay indoor watching television. The other reason is the marketing of fast food products and unhealthy foods which tend to attract the children and hence divert them to consume this food. Considering the great impact that media plays on obesity it should now revise its role and rather promote programs which encourage physical activity and healthy foods. Media Moves in America Obesity is a pathological condition which has now become a matter of global concern. It is a disease associated with the excessive accumulation of fats in the body of individual. Obesity is a condition which can be the base for many degenerative diseases affecting major bodily systems and an interesting aspect is that it can also affect the psychological condition of a person (Stanford Hospital and Clinics 2010). Obesity has now become a worldwide issue due to its increasing rise and the risks that it poses. It is a very common condition in the Unites States with two third of the population of United States suffering either from obesity or increased weight and approximately one third of the population being obese according to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (Weight Control and Information Network 2010). In UK, the Health Survey for England in the year 2008 presented that 24.5% people above the age of 15 were suffering from obesity. The same survey showed that the rate of obesity between the ages of 2 and 10 years was 13.9% (Department of Health 2009). It has been estimated in the United States of America that the rate of obesity in children has increased more than thrice in the past three decades (Laing 2010). Obesity in America is a growing epidemic. Childhood obesity in America has become such an important issue that it has been addressed by the first family in efforts to combat obesity in America. With rising attention from important figures, it is the media’s turn now to draw the line and aid the youth in America by promoting healthy lifestyle choices and a clear representation of healthy people. Obesity carries with it potential risk for the development of other disease states. It can lead to cardiovascular diseases which include hypertension, coronary heart diseases and stroke. It increases the risk of certain cancers which include breast, colon and prostate cancers. It can lead to insulin resistance within the cells hence leading to diabetes mellitus. And it also affects the musculoskeletal system of a person by increasing the risk of osteoarthritis due to the increased weight burden on the joints. The respiratory system can also be affected with a person having difficulty in breathing while sleeping. An obese individual is also prone to develop metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is characterized by increased fat deposition in abdomen, development of resistance to insulin, hypertension and presence of inflammatory products and clotting factors in the blood. Obesity can also result in affecting the psychological condition of a person. This is because in the present society the image of being good looking is associated with being slim and smart. This leads to loss of self esteem in these individuals. Also these people face difficulties in getting into relationships and the physical presentation also leads to problems in the workplace (Stanford Hospital and Clinics. 2010). Obesity is a disease state which was initially considered to have no genetic role in its causation. But recent research has put forward the fact that obesity is a disease state which has both genetic component and environmental factors involved in causing it. It is caused by the deletion or damage in a gene known as Ob gene putting the subjects with these deletions at high risks of developing obesity (NCBI 1998). The disease can also occur because of an energy imbalance that is excessive intake of energy with lesser utilization by means of physical activity. Thus the increases energy is stored in the body in the form of fat leading to obesity. A diet rich in fat can also lead to obesity because a high fat diet stimulates a person to eat more. Another important reason for obesity is psychological disorders which include depression, eating disorders like binge eating and increased diet in times of stress. Obesity itself can also serve as a reason because it might lead for a person to lose his self confidence and hence the person loses the will to exercise and adopt weight loss plans (Biddle et al 2009). The current lifestyle trends provide for another reason for the rise in obesity all around the world. There has been a rising development of obesity in children and what needs to be understood is that most of the children who are obese carry this disease with them into older ages. Researches clearly explain that there has been a great decrease in the indulgence of children in physical activities. It is reported that every child out of three does not possess a very active life style. This reduction in outdoor activities leads to only storage of the calories within the human body and no way of actually burning the fat. This results in obesity. The home surroundings also provide for a very important contributor towards this effect. This is because children whose parents are suffering from obesity do not serve as ideals for their children and hence they are also exposed to a similar unhealthy lifestyle. Also the older trends of cooking healthy food at home at regular times are not very common anymore. This is because of the increasing pace of life and this leads to consumption of snacks that are easily available and hence save time (Boyse 2008). Another reason is the increased availability of unhealthy foods at the school canteens which possess an increased amount of fat as well the increase in fast food chains all around the globe. These things provide for ways of gaining weight and hence result in obesity (Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. 2004). Media is now also considered to be one of the major promoters of obesity among children. It clearly needs to be understood that the term media is a broad term which is not only restricted to the television but also to other forms which include video games and the internet. Media can be associated with obesity in many ways. The first issue is the association of media which limits a child’s outdoor activities due to his interest in the television and other forms of media. This leads to a decrease in physical movement and hence provides a reason for a person to adapt to a sedentary lifestyle and stay home (Boyse 2008, Prince, Zenitha 2006). The second major impact that media has is by way of its marketing strategies of products that particularly attract children. This factor has played such a major role on the markets that it has been estimated that in the year 2000, children below the age of 13 years of age have been estimated to influence the spending of around 278 dollars on products of their choice. The marketing strategies are focused on food products mainly which drive a child to actually demand for it. These products are mainly unhealthy foods with high fat content. The advertisements and marketing of fast food chains is also a part of it. This works as a manipulative force and it has been argued that targeting children who do not have the maturity to judge what is right and wrong for them is incorrect. Thus this has been counted to be an important contributor towards the development of obesity in children (Blades et al2005). This heavy exposure that a child has from the media can be analyzed from the fact that a child actually utilizes approximately 6 hours every day for viewing television and it has been estimated that he actually watches 40000 commercials every year. The advertisements which promote fast food chains and other deals use the cartoon and film characters that are really liked by the children. This also makes them choose for similar habits. Also when a child is busy with his favorite television programs, a snack with it is considered very important and this again adds to the calories rather than burning them. This data has highly been supported by researches like the one conducted by the National Health Examination Survey which helped in analyzing that from the age of 12 years to the next 5 years, the risk of obesity got raised by 2 percent by just increasing the television viewing time by an hour. Similar researches which focused on decreasing the time interval of watching television provided with positive results and reduction in the obesity levels. Such findings were very crucial to prove the link between media and obesity (Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. 2004). . An example from my personal life provides to be very essential in this case. My younger brother is only 12 years old and his weight is 211 pounds. The blame for his obesity cannot be entirely placed on the media since he was born naturally obese. But the media can be held responsible for maintenance of his obesity and his inability to comply with weight reduction plans. This is because every time he comes across new money saving deals that are advertised on televisions he insists on buying them and actually forces us to take him there. The problem would not be very difficult to overcome if he is not exposed to the similar advertisements so many times each day. The role of media in the conversion of obesity into an epidemic can be seen but opponents to this issue have a very strong presentation as well. They believe that the major role in this issue is actually that of the parents. This is actually because a child cannot actually go and buy snacks and foods with high levels of fat himself. It is actually the financial support of the parents that the child actually relies upon. Another reason provided is that the exposure to the media is under the control of parents because it is them who actually buy their children video games and television sets. If the responsibility is to be found out at the root level then it is actually the parents who are to be held accountable according to them (The Washington Post 2008). It is also argued on the other hand that since it is the age of media and it is impossible to restrict your children from media. Thus, it is the job of parents to actually explain to their children what the true purpose of these commercials is and how they should actually view and understand them (McGrath 1996). Nevertheless it is important to be understood that denying the link between media and obesity is not possible. Considering the spread of the problem the issue is now a matter a global concern. Michelle Obama has taking a first step which needs to be followed by the media as well. She has started a drive to prevent obesity in children (Laing 2010). The media should also understand that it is high time that it should move ahead and support this mission. Though there have been moves but they should be more pronounced. This includes the commercial of the cartoon star Shrek and his accompanying caste who are actually advising children to engage in outdoor activities for at least an hour every day. This is a very good way of dealing with the issue with the perspective of the children themselves (YouTube Childhood Obesity Prevention featuring Shrek). The media should work towards the creating of commercials which actually promote healthy food and living. The attraction posed in the advertisements and commercials should be reduced and commercials favoring physical activity for children should be posted. The family life should be improved with proper meal arrangements and cooking schedules because that would avoid the intake of unhealthy meals (Boyse, K.2008). The prevention and treatment of obesity needs to cater the requirements of all age groups. For proper results it is essential that all the causative factors of obesity should be understood. This is because only focusing on physical, nutritional and pharmacological treatment cannot decrease the prevalence of the disease. This is because psychology also plays its role in the development and progress of this condition. For preventing the condition physical activity should be encouraged among children so that the habit develops in them. A proper balanced diet should also be recommended for children. For people who are very obese pharmacological treatment includes drugs like orlistat and sibutramine. This should be followed with a proper dietary plan for them as well as a physical activity schedule. Not only this, they should also be given psychological treatment to raise their self confidence and to motivate them to lose the excessive weight (Biddle et al 2009). Obesity is a matter which should be treated at all levels of society. On the global scale the media departments of the countries should meet and organize seminars to curb the matter and assist in the proper regulations so that obesity is not promoted. The awareness regarding the issue should be spread and media is a perfect medium for it. On the social level the stigma associated with being obese should be reduced. Obese people should be helped and supported. What needs to be understood more is that the effort should begin at the personal level. We should support family life and create awareness among our friends and relatives regarding the importance of healthy meals which are cooked at home. Children in the family should be asked to walk to schools rather than takes buses if the distance is not significant. This will help in the maintenance of physical activity. References: BIDDLE S., & DOVEY T. (2009). Obesity - Is physical activity the key? Psychologist. 22, 32-35. http://www.thepsychologist.org.uk/archive/archive_home.cfm/volumeID_22-editionID_171-ArticleID_1456 BOYSE, K.(2008).Obesity and Overweight. University of Michigan Health System. http://www.med.umich.edu/yourchild/topics/obesity.htm DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH UK.(2009). Obesity General Information. http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publichealth/Healthimprovement/Obesity/DH_078098 Top of Form GUNTER, B., OATES, C., & BLADES, M. (2005).Advertising to children on tv: content, impact, and regulation. Mahwah, N.J., Lawrence Erlbaum. http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=104639702 Bottom of Form HENRY J. KAISER FAMILY FOUNDATION. (2004). The role of media in childhood obesity. Menlo Park, Calif, Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. http://www.kff.org/entmedia/upload/The-Role-Of-Media-in-Childhood-Obesity.pdf LAING, T.(2010).Society’s fault for childhood obesity? Democrat and Chronicle. http://blogs.democratandchronicle.com/editorial/2010/02/15/societys-fault-for-childhood-obesity/ MCGRATH E. M. (1996) Marketing to children: where does your money go? Nutritional Health Review. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0876/is_n78/ai_20375115/ NCBI. (1998) Obesity. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/bookshelf/br.fcgi?book=gnd&part=obesity PRINCE, ZENITHA (2006).Study: Child obesity nears epidemic status. Afro - American. (5 Star edition). Baltimore, Md.: Mar 11-Mar 17, 2006. Vol. 114, Iss. 30; pg A1 http://proquest.umi.com.ezproxy.pgcc.edu/pqdweb?did=1024369291&Fmt=3&clientId=18566&RQT=309&VName=PQD&cfc=1 STANFORD HOSPITAL AND CLINICS. (2010). Health Effects of Obesity. Stanford University. http://stanfordhospital.org/clinicsmedServices/COE/surgicalServices/generalSurgery/bariatricsurgery/obesity/effects.html THE WASHINGTON POST(2008).Combating Childhood Obesity. http://proquest.umi.com.ezproxy.pgcc.edu/pqdweb?did=1484636491&Fmt=3&clientId=18566&RQT=309&VName=PQD WEIGHT CONTROL INFORMATION NETWORK. (2010) Statistics Related to Overweight and Obesity. National Institute of Health. http://www.win.niddk.nih.gov/statistics/index.htm YOUTUBE. Childhood Obesity Prevention featuring Shrek. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-zEDbl04NY Read More