It is no question that obesity is, and will continue to remain a problem in the U.S. Just last year the obesity rates increased in 23 states, and did not decrease in any (Trust for America's Health). In addition, the precentage of overweight children is at or above 30% in 30 states.A year ago these trends in child obesity could be linked to the marketing of food. In 2006 the Federal Trade Commission found that food companies spent$1.6 billion to market their products to children and teenagers. The biggest market spender was the makers of carbonated beverages, followed by fast food restaurants and the producers of cereal. Because of this enormous expenditure, and the effects that it had on child health, companies are now rethinking their marketing policies. Campbell Soup, General Mills and Kellogg are no longer marketing to kids under six. Burger King, and Hershey are no longer marketing to kids under twelve. Many companies have even restricted marketing to food that is nutritionaly adequate to children (Center for Science in the Public Interest).
To see the incredibe effects of marketing, I challenge you to take the Packaged Food Mascots Memory Test by clicking on the link below. You'll be surprised at how much information you know about the mascots of cereal...what their names are...and what they are wearing. And what's even more surprising is that you probably learned this information as a child, and somehow still remember...
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