Health VS Media ( Is Media portraying health or early death?)

The marketing of junk food and fast food has become big business—some have called the food industry the next Tobacco.
Companies have been spending millions in advertisement to raise great awareness among the public of their products and frequently these advertisements become the main purpose and source of revenue of many of the media channels. Advertisements for junk food and fast food can also be seen in , movies ,magazines, Shopping malls , the Internet, and even in our transportations services. What impact is this having on youth and adults? Is this what we are going to see in the future?

(Google Pictures)

In the 21st century , most people have access to various form of media such as television or the internet.Teens and younger children are particularly exposed a lot to TV advertisement, and at their age they are more likely to be carried away by the hidden emotional appeal of the advertisement.The media has been advertising on how fast food seems to be so colourful and healthy but in actual fact it is not. One example, is the use of a meat quality enhancer, or a product known scientifically as ammonium hydroxide which turns fatty beef residue into a mixture that has been non-affectionately called "pink slime". These advertisement plays a part in enticing people of all ages, without realizing that their choices are being manipulated by the advertisement.Through the growing numbers of advertisement the fast food industry is making, it further emphasise the greatness of their products. One good example is public posters and public televisions, people tend to be conditioned by these advertisements! One example we can relate to is movies and popcorns. Some people might argue that both must go together! Research has shown colourful advertisement are eye catching and stays in the memory of a person longer (The advertised mind: ground-breaking insights into how our brains respond to advertising, Kogan Page Publishers, 28 May, 2005 )and therefore many people will subconciously walk into a fast food restaurant,which is detrimental to one's health in the long run. According to National Healthy Lifestyle (NHS) statistics, the prevalence of obesity among adults in Singapore between 18 and 69 years increased steadily from 6.0% in 1998, and to 6.9% in 2004 and to 10.4% in 2010. Therefore, the media has been moving in a direction that is only focused on profit making instead of the publics health.

In conclusion, the collaboration of the advertising industry and the media has influenced the people's diet to a certain extent that is detrimental in the long run. Clearly, the conclusion is drawn is that media and advertisement can influence children's purchases as those of their families.

References

Erik, D.P. (2005) The advertised mind: ground-breaking insights into how our brains respond to advertising, Kogan Page Publishers.

http://www.hpb.gov.sg/news/article.aspx?id=6264