Introduction
In the article “Children’s obesity in the united states and the actions of the media”, the American children are identified to be severely hit by obesity. Specifically 32% of children between the ages of 2-19 years are affected. The sickness in the United States is a concern due to its nature of easy to observe but hard to treat. To curb the exponential growth, the media and the government are working together to ensure that these rates go down. Body mass index is used to help stakeholders understand the situation. The collaboration is aimed at sensitizing parent so that they can protect their children. Obesity is associated with devastating health conditions inclusive of heart diseases, diabetes and gallstones.
Methodology
After weighing quantitative and qualitative methods, the researchers settled on qualitative study. This was owed to strength of getting detailed information in regard to the relationships. The instrument of study was interviews. Semi-structured questions were prepared to help answer the research question.
Past trends
Obesity among children has caused alarm due to its trends.in the United States; 23 million of the children are affected. The government finds itself digging into its pocket each year to handle the health conditions related to obesity. American people eating habits are main culprit. For example undefined meal patterns are seen to be a cause of body loss in ability to self-regulate. Technology is also identified to contribute to less physical activities. In matters related to discrimination, obesity comes fourth after sex, age and race.
Media involvement
The fight to contain obesity has attracted organizations and media. For example, Strong4Life, campaigns against obesity. There are two main campaigns through video spots and bill boards.
Billboards
One billboard portrays children of different races in black and white and a red warning. Several messages read in each children picture. The messages depict messages showing parents the need to take care of their children. For example “fat children become fat adults.” Parents are directly sensitized in all messages.
Video spots
These are posted on internet http://strong4life.com/. The video also target parents as the children portrayed are wondering what makes them different from others. This is a wakeup call to parents.
Impacts
Positively the campaign showed government commitment. It also showed that unhappiness in children could be associated with obesity. Similarly the campaign may be associated with negative aspects; first pointing at some children may affect their self-esteem and secondly obese people may be rejected in a normal society thus increase discrimination.
Relation with MIM courses
Globalization has been connected with global change due to easy communication and easy movement of goods and services. It is also notable that teens are identified to be an attractive fast food target. The social media cannot be left behind. For example it could unknowingly promote consumption trends of junk. Innovation and technology could be utilized more to fight obesity, this is because children are very much exposed to this media.
Conclusion
The study managed to capture a less targeted population regarding obesity-the children. Its growth is noted to be exponential. Government, media and other stakeholders have taken the battle head on. However, there is little effect is seen. Strong4life has taken a different approach and is targeting parents. The bottom line is there is a need for all to do more to ensure that half of America population will not be obese comes the year 2025.
References
Levy-Navarro, E. (2008). The Culture of Obesity in Early and Late Modernity. . New York: Palgrave Macmillan.
Mathilde , B., Assha , G., Julie, C., Nicole , M., & Solinda , M. (2012). Children’s obesity in the united states and the actions of the media. INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE of SCIENTIFIC PAPER (pp. 21-28). New York, USA: Manhattan Institute of Management.
Wells , J. (2011). "The thrifty phenotype: An adaptation in growth or metabolism?". .American Journal of Human Biology, 23(1), 65–75.
