Although advertising was intended to simply convey information about specific products, this goal appears to have been surpassed over the years. Most advertising today is aimed at children. Even though some of the products sold to children have negative effects on them, they are still advertised. An example of such products is junk food. Junk food usually contains a lot of fats and sugars which, if consumed continuously, negatively affect the normal functioning of the body. Despite its malignant effects, junk food is also advertised in ways that appeal more to children. Children are therefore forced to buy harmful foods, which put their health at risk. Junk food advertising has led to an increase in health problems in children. According to the film Consuming Kids: The Commercialization of Childhood, advertising has caused an increase in obesity in children. As CBS News reported, “obesity rates have doubled among children and tripled among young adolescents.” This increase in obesity has been directly linked to advertising; as children who spend a lot of time on the media risk suffering from obesity-related disorders such as depression and anxiety (Juliet Schor). Obesity is one of the many life-threatening disorders today. According to Pam Belluck, a journalist for the New York Times, children's life expectancy is reduced due to obesity (Bellock). A new report from ABC news also predicts that children's life expectancy will be shorter than that of their parents (ABC news). Another health problem resulting from junk food advertising is the increasing number of children being diagnosed with diabetes. In the film Consuming Kids, a study conducted in 2000, it was found that one in three children is born in......middle of paper......Eating healthy allows children to live healthier and longer lives. This could also reduce the health risks a child would face if they grew up eating junk food. Works Cited Belluck, Pam. Children's life expectancy is reduced by obesity. March 17, 2005. Web. April 7, 2014. Brody, Michael. Consuming children: The transcript of the commercialization of childhood. Media Education Foundation. Mediaed.org. 2008. Network. April 7, 2014. Holguin, Jaime. January 5, 2004, 10:07 am. Fast food linked to childhood obesity. CBS News.com. Network. April 7, 2014.Ricco, Michael. Consuning Kids, the commercialization of childhood. movie. 2008.Web. April 7, 2014.Schor, Juliet. Consuming children: The marketing of childhood film. 2008. Network. April 7, 2014. Wyche, Sonja. “Will obesity reduce life expectancy?” ABCnews.org. March 17, 2005. Web. April 7 2014.