Medical Concerns about Advertising to Children

The American Medical Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics report that children eat an excess of unhealthy food. Advertising to children helps create needs and wants in children that results in overeating foods high in sugar and fat. Parents need to chose healthy food for children and help them develop a healthy lifestyle. Harvard psychologist Susan Linn explains why she opposes marketing to children at http://marketplace.publicradio.org/shows/2005/01/27/PM200501274.html.

At http://www.2.kelloggs.com with a click on the “family focus” link will find offers of free movies and examples of spokes persons recognized by children. Tony the Tiger wants to change his stripes. Barbie (from Mattel) and Hot Wheels help children chose Sugar Frosted Flakes. Indiana Jones helps sell Rice Krispies and when children see Indiana Jones, they will associcate him with Rice Crispies. Children can play video games at www.fruitloops.millberry.com. These Web istes impress the brand on the children’s minds as they watch and play branded video games that make them want sugared products.

     Teachers report that children are more violent thanks to violent video games. Physicians warn parents to monitor the amount of time their children spend on Web sites with games that encourage violence. Pediatricians and Public Health physicians report that 25% of all children are over weight due in part from eating too much sugared snacks. The sole purpose of video games on food web sites is to capture the childrens attention so that they will peater their parents to buy them. At www.hershey.com, a child can play cyberfootball with Hershey Kisses. Then they crave a Hershey Chocolate Bar. Marketing to children makes them crave sugared snacks.

Physicians feel that children are overwhelmed with information and advertising. Neary explains that children over age 15 look at adult Television and sort through the sex and violence without parenteral guidance at http://www.npr.org/templates/story.story.php?storyID=5595146ft=1. They hear over 3000 messages everyday, and it is difficult to sort through the clutter. Physicians, teachers, and parents must help instill values in children so that they do not fall prey to advertisers who promote an unhealthy life style. The American Academy of Pediatrics wants to limit children to no more than 2 hours of television and computer every night.

Medical Websites Targeting Minorities

Because diseases vary by race, geography, and gender, medical Web sites offer advice to minorities and different populations.

African Americans develop Diabetes Mellitus, also known as “Sugar,” at a higher rate than the population at large. An effective medication for diabetes is Glucotrol XL, an extended release tablet made by Pfizer. Their Web site, www.pfizer.com, has additional information on how to treat and control Diabetes Mellitus. A complication of Diabetes is erectile dysfunctions, and information about the treatment can be found at www.viagra.com. The ads show effective treatment of African American men who suffer from Diabetes and Erectile dysfunction.

Hispanics develop hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, at a rate higher than the general public. A visit to www.merck.com will have information in Spanish. One of their most effecitve products is Zetia 10 mg. A discussion of life style changes is in order. Food and weight management are very important. A visit to www.kraft.com will give recipes and food information in the Hispanic section for Hispanics who need to count calries and make healthy food choices. There are recipes for chiles rellenos, sopas, and traditional food.

For imigrants who might not understand their medications, the drug company chain, Walgreen’s is able to print the medication lablel in 14 languages. At www.walgreens.com, the non-English speaking minority patient can have a prescription printed so that he/ she can understand the medication prescribed, what it is for, and how to take it.

The White male patient has a greater chance of bad knees than any other group. Many men ruin their knees in basketball, football, or industry. The schering Corporation targets the middle aged white male at www.schering.com. It promotes the injectible Celestone to reduce inflammation and provide long lasting releif. It has been used for over 40 years in treating patients with bad knees.