AJC.com > Opinion > Opinion Talk > Archives > 2008 > July > 14 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USRegulate junk-food marketing to kids
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Susan Linn, an instructor in psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, believes we need federal standards regulating how food companies market their products to children. Self regulation has not worked, she writes.
“Ads for junk food can still be seen during children’s television programming,” she writes. “This summer’s blockbuster films like “Iron Man” and “The Incredible Hulk” are promoting Burger King Kid Meals to children as young as 3.”
But Jeffrey Axelrad, a lecturer of law at George Washington University says the federal government should focus instead on food safety. And he argues that the fight against childhood obesity has turned into a “propaganda campaign”
What do you think?
Permalink | Comments (3) | Post your comment | Categories: Forum
Comments
By Bill
July 14, 2008 4:55 PM | Link to this
Childhood obesity is directly related to the parents and not the children. I have never seen a child drive up to a fast food restaurant and pay for an order. This is another example of special interest groups asking the government to step in and take control over something they don’t like. I believe childhood obesity is a problem but I also believe the answer lies with the parents and not with the advertisers or the government.
By Pete
July 17, 2008 5:56 AM | Link to this
Fit parents = fit kids. FAT parents = FAT kids. And there is no shortage of fat people in the ATL.
By Pete=Ignorance
July 18, 2008 10:15 AM | Link to this
Pete-
That has to be the most ignorant comment I have ever seen in my life.
Just because you are fit does not mean you will have fit kids and vise versa. I know people who have lived an extremely active lifestyle are are more than fit compared to society and their kids are couch potatoes at home eating bon bons while playing video games.
Just the opposite, I have larger friends who have kids that make a size 0 look big.
I agree that parents have the say until they become adults and do what they want, but just because someone is fat, doesn’t automatically make their kids fat.
Either you are bitter because your parents made you fat or angry at the world for not allowing you to leave your computer and bag of chips to go work out.
Seriously….
I agree with Bill, it is the parents’ responsibilty with what the child eats….they eat what you give them… What is up with children ruling the household????? Why are parents slowly losing all parental rights????? With rights comes responsibilty and ownership of your actions……