For parents, the TV can be a respite from taking care of their children. Although the TV is a convenient source of entertainment for their kids, parents should be aware of the content their children are exposed to. Its been widely accepted that TV viewing has reduced the average child’s daily physical activity. However, many parents are unaware of how exposure to TV food advertisements influences their children’s diet. Advertisements have been shown to have a profound affect on children’s opinions and desires. Children are particularly vulnerable to the manipulative strategies that are used in advertising campaigns. Studies have shone that a matter of seconds exposed to an advertisement can cause children to have an affinity for the product. Food companies are aware of this, and in some cases have done explicit research on how to best exploit children and develop brand loyalty from a young age. Thus, children who watch TV are more likely to pester their parents for foods high in sugar, fat and calories. The majority of these foods lack the essential nutrients needed for the mind and body of a developing child. The development of food preferences can make it very difficult for parents to introduce or endorse foods to their children that have nutritional benefits. By reducing child’s exposure to food advertisements, parents have a better chance of reducing their child’s risk of obesity. Studies have shown that food habits developed at a young age often translate into habits later in life. Thus, those exposed to more junk food early on, are more likely to become obese as a child, and maintain obesity into adulthood.
A social media campaign targeted at parents will be the most efficient way to create awareness and address this issue. Parents play an essential role in a child’s nutrition and overall well being. Thus, my social media campaign will provide parents helpful hints on how to encourage a healthy lifestyle for their children in a time-savy, inexpensive, and manageable way.
So far I have created a Pinterest Board, and have started a Facebook Page.
https://www.pinterest.com/olive3912/
Make sure that you address the problem of obesity with in underdeveloped parts of the United States, because that is where a majority of obesity lies.
I really like this topic because it is so important as obesity affect so many aspects of an individuals life. As a child grows up it is the parents responsibility to make sure that they eat right but personally I think that schools should have a bigger part in this to, as they can educate students in a better way then parents might could. Is this something that could be included in your project?
I think you have a good approach regarding your social media, as parents should be the number one target group for this sort of campaign. But you could also look into if there is other ways of reaching out, such as parents groups both online and in the communities. Really good that the social media will include tips on how to eat better and so on.