Fast Food Advertising Essay

An empowering sign of modern day society includes the famous golden arch symbol of the grand francise, McDonalds. According to an article, McDonald’s spent over $978 million on advertising in 2013 (Statista, par. 1). McDonald’s is just a big chunk of the 40,000 advertisments that children and adolescents see on TV in a year alone (Strasburger, par. 1). Advertisments have been essentially known as a marketing strategy to improve sales, but has now become a way to mask away the reality of issues. Research shows that, “markets spend over $500 billion a year towards advertising… The average 65 year old in the U.S. would have seen an estimated two million television commercials within their life span” (“55 Interesting Facts About… Advertising”).

Thomas N. Robinson conducted an experimental study to test if fast food branding has an influence towards young children’s taste preference. His study found, “Branding of foods and beverages influences young childrens taste perceptions. The findings are consistent with recommendations to regulate marketing to young children and also suggest that branding may be a useful strategy for improving young children’s eating behaviors” (Robinson, par 8). The significance of this study shows how advertisments have control over young children’s minds and diet. The effects of these poor decisions can carry onto adulthood, leading up to an unhealthy lifestyle that can result into obesity. These children being targeted by McDonald’s advertisement eventually become a lifelong customer. Although, Robinson did open up the idea that if advertisments were used for the right products, a better and healthier influence could be the

“The usual depiction of food and obesity in television has many documented negative consequeces on food habits and patterns” (Caroli, par. 4). In a personal standpoint, children are the biggest victims of advertisments because of their easy appeal and attraction. Children do not know better, they do not notice that the advertisement serves as a curtain for businesses. McDonald’s does not show the effect that can lead up to long-term consumption of their products. Pasting an oversized man eating their fries and burger on a billboard is not on the top of McDonald’s priority list because that image does not sell. Advertisment is meant to attract customers in order to bring in more sales, and the truth behind it all does the complete opposite of what they