Obesity in Children
Obesity in children is one of the most common health problems that many children face. Obesity is a disorder in which an individual is overweight or obese. A child is considered overweight whether he or she is obese. The majority of overweight children are at risk of developing morbidities such as cardiac arrest and cardiometabolic morbidities (Berry & Carter & Nolan & Grande & Booth, 2017).
Rise in Obesity Rates
Different countries use different statistics or numbers to decide whether or not anyone is obese. According to the 2014–2015 survey, there was a rise in the number/percentage of people who were obese in Australia. The World Health Organization has called for the legislation and ban of advertisement that trigger eating of unhealthy foods. This body is used to monitor, control/regulate the Health of different individuals (Berry & Carter & Nolan & Grande & Booth, 2017). This body is responsible for certifying the use of different drugs that are fit or not fit for the Human population. Over the past years, this body has called on the Governments of different Countries to come together and implement decisions or implementations that will prevent the marketing of foods that are not favorable in the health of individuals (Berry & Carter & Nolan & Grande & Booth, 2017).
Influence of Advertisements
Based on recent surveys that have been conducted in the past, it is evident that adverts play a major role in the distribution and consumption of foods that are not healthy to the health of the individual (Berry & Carter & Nolan & Grande & Booth, 2017). A majority of the people who were assessed said that they started consuming some of the unhealthy foods as a result of following adverts that were aired the television.
Government Intervention
This study suggests strongly there is an urgent need that is supported by the South African adults. This need greatly requires intervention from the Government to ban/stop advertising foods that are not healthy (Berry & Carter & Nolan & Grande & Booth, 2017). This need also requires the Government to regulate on the content being displayed in the media, for example the Government should not tolerate the advertisement of non-alcoholic beverages. Apart from South Africa, another Country that supports the banning of such adverts is Australia. About 86% of the population supports the idea on banning healthy foods (Berry & Carter & Nolan & Grande & Booth, 2017). Morley et al established that 84% of the people in Western Australia admitted that regulating the advertisement of food was quite important while 34% of the total population admitted that the ban was very important (Berry & Carter & Nolan & Grande & Booth, 2017).
Government Role in Regulation
Whilst this data was collected a lot was noted down. According to results based from the research process, it was discovered that the federal Government plays a critical role when it comes to implementing policies that regulate the marketing of unhealthy foods to children (Berry & Carter & Nolan & Grande & Booth, 2017). The Federal Government is the only body that can pass a form of judgement or law which can be used to monitor and regulate advertisements. In order to deal with the issue of Unhealthy foods, a ban should be legislated against foods that have a negative impact on the life of children.
References
Berry, N., Carter, P., Nolan, R., Dal Grande, E., & Booth, S. (2017). Public attitudes to government intervention to regulate food advertising, especially to children. Health Promotion Journal of Australia, 28, 85-87.
