Obesity is a growing problem in the United States; it has reached the point at which it is an epidemic. Childhood obesity is an especially frightening facet of this problem. The amount of children who can be classified as obese rises at an alarming rate every year.
Figure 1. Percentage of Children and Adolescents Who Are Obese, from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Society of Behavioral Medicine. Web. 4 November 2012. http://www.sbm.org/about/public-policy/statements/childhood-obesity
- Current obesity rates in children ages 6-11 have quadrupled since the early 1970s (“Statistical”).
- One out of three children are overweight or obese currently (“Obesity”).
- An obese child is much more likely to be obese as an adult than a child with a healthy weight.
- Because of obesity, the current youngsters of the United States are predicted to be the first generation to have a shorter life expectancy than their parents (Belluck).
The media is trying to combat the rising obesity epidemic.
First Lady Michelle Obama has attempted to harness the power of media to be a force for good in the lives of the nation’s children through her Let’s Move! initiative (Let’s Move!).
Former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, who was diagnosed with Type-2 diabetes and was obese when elected to office, dropped 100 pounds over the course of his term and used his story to try to promote healthier weights in his state’s children with numerous campaigns and acts to combat obesity that have made headlines across the country (Ogilvie).
Former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, who was diagnosed with Type-2 diabetes and was obese when elected to office, dropped 100 pounds over the course of his term and used his story to try to promote healthier weights in his state’s children with numerous campaigns and acts to combat obesity that have made headlines across the country (Ogilvie).
The Biggest Loser is a wildly popular show that shows the dangers and effect that obesity has. It influences its viewers to change. The Biggest Loser is quite possibly the largest combatant of obesity in mass media and is viewed by hundreds of millions viewers of all ages every week. The show influences it viewers immensely.
Figure 2. Obese Kids. n.d. The Blaze. Web. 5 Nov 2012. <http://www.theblaze.com/stories/watch-out-parents-the-state-may-want-to-take-away-your-obese-kids/>.
The media is believed to also be a large cause to the obesity epidemic that is rolling over the nation. The media exerts a large influence on the parents and children. Television shows like CBS’s “Mike and Molly” send the wrong message to children, by portraying unhealthy behaviors like overeating as normal or humorous (Kelly). While there is minor “promotion” of obesity in the media with shows like “Mike and Molly”, it does not have enough weight in the matter to tip the scales of obesity in the media.
And??
While the media is said to promote obesity, it is trying to combat the childhood epidemic that is plaguing the United States. The opposition against obesity in the media heavily out-weighs the media that promotes the unhealthy lifestyle.
Works Cited
Belluck, Pam. “Children's Life Expectancy Being Cut Short by Obesity.” New York Times. 17 March 2005. Web. 4 November 2012
Kelly, Maura. “Should ‘Fatties’ Get a Room? (Even on TV?).” Marie Claire. 25 October 2010. Web. 2 November 2012.
Let’s Move! Web. 2 November 2012
Obese Kids. The Blaze. Web. 5 Nov 2012. <http://www.theblaze.com/stories/watch-out-parents-the-state-may-want-to-take-away-your-obese-kids/>.
“The Obesity Prevention Source Child Obesity.” Harvard School of Public Health. Web. 4 November 2012.
Ogilvie, Jessica Pauline. “Still battling weight in Arkansas.” Los Angeles Times. 8 May 2011. Web. 2 November 2012.
Percentage
of Children and Adolescents Who Are Obese, from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Society of Behavioral Medicine. Web. 4 November 2012. http://www.sbm.org/about/public-policy/statements/childhood-obesity
“Statistical Fact Sheet 2012 Update. Overweight & Obesity.” American Heart and Stroke Association. Web. 4. November 2012.
I liked that you had an interesting take on obesity in relation to media, and that you provided a lot of factual evidence and examples. I think your counter-arguement could be benefitted by not just talking about the promotion of obesity, but also the possibility that the children's media habits are the cause of their obesity. Your topic could have been clearer if you gave an introduction to your opinion of media and obesity earlier on, rather than an introduction to obesity. Overall I think you supported your position and used visuals well.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I was trying to take a different standpoint that isn't normally acknowledged. Thats a great idea, I'll keep that in mind for my issues paper. I was debating with myself about that intro and I agree that i should have just gotten to my point quicker. Thanks again!
DeleteGood. I liked how you addressed how media supports and tries to combat obesity. One issue is through the argument I kept thinking that there really isn't a huge counterargument. Everyone knows that obesity is an issue and that media can support it or promote well being. But I know that in my community the ways some media promotes well being are dorky, silly, and ineffective. How effective are these measures? Also you touched on this towards the end of your article but is it just the amount of media the kids are absorbing or the type of media they are absorbing?
ReplyDeleteThank you. I think the counterargument maybe could the fact that the media is overwhelmingly trying to promote or make less of a big deal about it. Good idea, I'll look into it at a more local level possibly too.
DeleteI would also agree that there is not much argument over the fact that obesity is bad; however, I quite enjoyed how you focused on the positive media that influence their viewers to take action and keep themselves healthy, or change their lifestyle to a more healthy one. You had many good, effective examples. I feel like they would have even more impact if you connected them just a little bit more, I almost feel like you are simply listing off a bunch of factors that support your argument. As a whole, very well done!
ReplyDeleteThanks, I was trying to show the media in a more positive light, rather than what is normally associated with it. I agree 100% that my ideas weren't very continuous; the main problem I had with that was the word count, I was at exactly 400 words and I couldn't put much into in way of transitions. Thanks again!
DeleteI understood your position, but am not exactly clear as to what you are trying to argue. Often, with these topics, it is a "Well yes of course I know childhood obesity is a problem" situation. I think that you need to make more of a position on how it affects people personally and/or new solutions. If educated, we all know about the initiatives that the media is taking towards combatting childhood obesity. Stay away from lists, I feel that you may have over-used that styling in this post.
ReplyDeleteOtherwise this post was well resourced and interesting!
Thank you very much. I was arguing that media is a force for good in the rising obesity epidemic rather than only a bad thing, which is how many people see the media. I will be sure to make it more clear though. I think I may have put too much superficial information in this instead of more deeper thoughts. Thanks again.
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