Are we concerned about obesity in our children?

As I think about all the different fast foods that are available at my disposal, I can't help but question if generations younger than me are so readily exposed to this food as well. I know that when I was younger and still living with my parents, I had a relatively healthy diet because that was just normal around my household. I think that more recently, though, families are moving more away from this normal healthy lifestyle and moving toward convenience, and this is beginning to have a negative effect on children at a younger age.

Junk food tends to be a common snack for kids. It can be mistaken as something of nutritional value, when in reality it just brings instant satisfaction. Foods of this nature are what contribute to kids overeating beacause it leaves them wanting more in a shorter amount of time. All they are consuming is just empty calories and sugar. Now, don't get me wrong, I love sugar and sweets but I am now at an age to realize when my body is craving food of substance. However, kids at such young ages do not yet understand that and we as a society need to be contributing to sharing that information instead of just giving into their sweet indulgences.

An article written by Jacque Wilson takes a different approach to explaining why children are not as drawn to eat healthy foods. Wilson discusses how Brian Wansink, professor of marketing at Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management, conducted a study on whether kids would choose between an apple or cookie when presented with the option. His study found that when a healthier food had a recognizable brand name on it, kids were more likely to choose it but that there was little difference in choice of cookies with or without the brand name.

On one hand I can see that brands in today's society play a very huge role in our consumption decisions, and on the other it is somewhat concerning that cookies are being chosen no matter their brand. It's no secret that kids like to enjoy treats whenever they can, but something has got to change so that it is no longer a default choice among other snacks. Maybe it would be a smart idea to start making healthier foods look more appealing and recognizable. Kids want to be the same as their friends and fit in, even with the foods they eat, so why not curb that desire toward the healthier options.