Move it and consume it: Media constructions of childhood obesity

Abstract

Between 1980 and 2004, the number of overweight children in the U.S., ages 6 to 19, nearly tripled from 5% to 18.8% [1]. Currently there are approximately 25 million U.S. children “at risk of becoming overweight” or “overweight” [2,3]. Contributing factors in this epidemic are the lack of physical activity in children, and the lack of proper diet. During the fall 2007 semester, a content analysis of articles from Kansas newspapers and for comparison, newspaper articles from throughout the United States was conducted using the constant comparative method [4]. Themes concerning causes of childhood obesity, blame for the obesity epidemic, and suggestions on how to encourage children to be healthier were identified. Based on an analysis of both literature and the findings of this study, childhood obesity seems to be misunderstood by much of the public. While studies indicate that both a lack of physical activity and an improper diet has been the cause of the epidemic, many parents, teachers, doctors and nutritionists alike, blame the marketing of food to children. The implications of childhood obesity make it imperative that a solution is found.