As I researched into ways why there is a significant rise in obesity in children over the past decade. I came across the rise in technology and how this has previously been related to obesity in children. It is easy to think that the rise in new technology could be the reason for children no longer spending as much time outside burning calories. Although for some parents this may be an easy way to keep their child occupied however this is not the healthiest way to do so. With the rise in obesity becoming an increasing problem it is even more important now that parents limit their child’s screen time.
It is also proven that sleep deprivation can be a direct link to obesity, which technology also interferes with the amount of sleep one may have. This can significantly increase the impact of the child watching television before they sleep, decreasing the amount of sleep they may receive. This effects the metabolism if the body and mind is tired for the next day, reducing the chances of performing exercise the following day. With children watching more and more television spending up to an estimated time of 7 hours per day watching television, advertising has become more popular on children’s television. When advertisements are shown on television they glamorise the different options available at the supermarket, which are normally nutrient-poor food and drinks. This contributes to the increasing popularity of overweight children as they expose children to the advertisements that may affect unhealthy nutritional decisions. Propositioning if children remember these brands they are more likely to ask parents for them. Even the child being aware of different foods will more than likely make them want to try it. The type of food that is advertised is continuously unhealthy food on children’s television, which is particularly discriminating and also one-sided for advertising companies. The advertising companies are also specialists in exploiting persuasive techniques to entice children into wanting their product. This could be a technique such as collectable toys for example ‘Bobbys toys’. Secondly another technique used is attractive food packaging and advertising, normally creating moving appeals to falsify long-lasting relationships with children to create brand loyalty, for example ‘McDonald’s, Ronald McDonald’. The television regulator Ofcom has investigated the problem and also The Food Standards Agency has also been inspecting the issue. However still to this day there is an on-going debate around this issue.
