blogg day 5

I don't believe the U.S. will be facing a serious shortage of food anytime soon. Although the prices are increasing I don't feel that we will run out of the items. As long as consumers continue to buy the products the companies are going to continue to find a way to produce them. Similar to the gas situation, prices keep going up, but we aren't in any danger of running out of oil if there's a demand companies will meet it, even if it means raising the prices to an outrageous rate. If anything people will slowly decrease their purchase of the expensive items, and then there might be a surplus and the prices might go down. All I know is the United States hasn't run out of anything yet, if anything they keep discovering new ways to speed up the food making process and meet the demands of the consumers. The only reason I think Americans would need to protest is if they discovered that there was an easy solution to the problem that the government could change or control. The government might already realize that there is a problem and are in the process of fixing it.With the knowledge and technology, I honestly don't believe that the government would allow the United States to run out of food.

School nutrition policy can prevent obesity

Obesity in the United States has continued to grow within the last few years, and people have become determined to prevent the problem in its early stages. This article reveals the dramatic change that occurred when schools began to regulate their student’s diets.
When student’s are at school and are craving a snack their options are limited to the vending machines that sell nothing but sweet, fatty, and salty foods. Kids spend about 6-7 hours at school and are bound to purchase these unhealthy items. This article proves what a change schools can make by adjusting a little thing like the items being sold in the vending machines. Another approach the school took was educating the students on why they were removing certain items, and what those products were doing to their health. The article explains here that once the school did this they were able to cut the obesity rate in half. “Among the 1,349 students Foster's team followed from fourth to sixth grade. As mentioned, there was about a 50percent reduction in the incidence (new cases) of overweight at the end of 2 years among the children attending the program schools, while no changes were seen among the children attending the schools without a program.”(Amy Norton)
If the government were to take control of this situation the rate of obesity in children would drop considerably. I’m aware that many people would argue that the government shouldn’t be able to control people’s diets, but on the other hand children in schools aren’t being given any other options in the vending machines besides the unhealthy foods. Another problem is schools are contradicting themselves by having health classes that teach children to snack on fruits and vegetables versus candy bars and chips. Then they turn around and only give the students the option of snacking on unhealthy items that are being sold in vending machines. In order to make a change schools need to practice both methods; teach the students what to do and then actually give them the chance to make the right decisions.
This is a simple answer to a huge problem. If we just train children when they are younger and provide healthy items to snack on in school we can prevent bad snacking habits and obesity. It will take a while, but eventually children will learn to snack on fruits and vegetables just like they learned to snack on the unhealthy items in the vending machines.





http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080416/hl_nm/school_obesity_dc

Response to Sickened Pork Workers Article

My immediate response to the article was that it is apparent that these pigs are infected with a dangerous disease that in return is harming humans. This is a huge deal because many people's daily diets consist of pig meat, and if the pigs are spreading diseases through brain tissue, than it is very possible that marketed pig meat could be infected as well. It also appears as if the people that are investigating the situation do not know much about it, they use the frases "it is possible" or "it doesn't appear". There is no certainty in their tone. I agree with the fact that all jobs have a level of danger, but there also has to be a way to avoid or prevent these dangerous occurences. The difference is the workers didn't know what they were doing was harmful to their health. I feel that this could become a problem if slaughter houses didn't stop performing these methods. This could also be dangerous if we discovered that this disease is transmittable, whether it be through the infected workers or meat that is being sold.

annotated bibliography

Annotated Bibliography
Gregg Cebrzynski. "FTC to subpoena 44 companies' kids-ad data." Nation's Restaurant News 7 May 2007: 3,129,131. ABI/INFORM Global. ProQuest. Columbus Metropolitan Library, Columbus, Ohio. 15 Apr. 2008

The article talks about the FTC and congress investigating marketing companies that target kids. They are discovering that the products the companies are selling may be increasing the rate of obesity in children and adolescents. Some companies that may be targeted are McDonald's, Burger King, and Wendy's.

Ad watcher
This article will back up my thesis that advertisement companies are targeting children and something needs to be done about it. The article addresses the issue of obesity and how marketing companies are to blame and I agree with that statement and think that this article can assist me in my research paper.

The author appears to have strong feelings toward this topic and is speaking against the advertisement companies. His audience would be the same as mine, parents of the children and the people that can and need to do something about the situation.

Wendy Melillo, Aaron Baar. "Battle Lines Are Drawn Over What Makes Kids Fat.” Adweek 31 Jan. 2005: 8 ABIINFORM Global. ProQuest. Columbus Metropolitan Library, Columbus, Ohio. 15 Apr. 2008

This article also addresses advertisement companies that are causing obesity in children and adolescents. Some advertisement companies have agreed to change their ad's that are targeting children. The writer also notes the different advertising techniques that some companies are using.

Bureau Chief Washington DC for ADWEEK Press Releases

This article will serve as another form of information and prove that there is a problem. It also lists some of the companies that are attempting to regulate and correct the issue.
The author seems to be leaning towards the side that disagrees with the advertisement companies, but at the same time he makes sure to include an argument for the advertisement companies.

"North Carolina Health & Community Leaders Call on Rep. McIntyre to Cosponsor Legislation to Protect Kids from Tobacco." U.S. Newswire 11 October 2007 ProQuest Newsstand-w/o Columbus. ProQuest. Columbus Metropolitan Library, Columbus, Ohio. 15 Apr.2008

This article talks about smoking and how it is the number one preventable cause of death in our country. It also notes that fact that it wouldn't be such an issue if kids didn't start the habit at such a young age. The unfortunate part of this is advertisement companies are targeting young kids making it difficult for them to turn it down.

This article will serve as another form of dangerous advertisement that I can compare to food advertisements targeting kids. It addresses the issue that adolescents are naive, and more like to fall for advertisements that are targeted towards them.

The audience is people that have the ability to change this problem: the FDA, parents, and the government.
Stephen J. Hedges. “Study shows junk food advertisements target kids :[1].” Knight Ridder Tribune News Service 28 March 2007 1. Proquest Newsstand – w/o Columbus. ProQuest. Columbus Metropolitan Library, Columbus, Ohio. 15 Apr.2008

The article explains a study done by the Kaiser Family Foundation that reveals the large percentage of candy and snack advertisements viewed by children each day. Most of these ads were seen on television. The Kaiser Family Foundation discovered that kid’s food choices are greatly affected by advertisements and as a result increasing the rate of obesity in children.
Washington Bureau of the Chicago Tribune
This article has percentages and good examples that I can use to back up my thesis. It also reveals the amount of advertisements that kids are exposed to and at what age.
The writer’s audience would be parents and maybe the government. In his article he reveals the channels that contain the most food advertisements. His reasoning may be to inform parents of these channels so they can regulate what their child is watching more efficiently.
Sharon Kirkey. “Feeding an obesity epidemic: Series: Fat Nation:[Final Edition].” The Ottawa Citizen [Ottawa, Ont.] 21 Nov. 2006, Al Front. ProQuest Newsstand – w/o Columbus. ProQuest. Columbus Metropolitan Library, Columbus, Ohio. 17 Apr.2008 http://www.proquest.com.webproxyprod.columbuslibrary.org/
This article discusses the different types of advertisement strategies. Not only are children being introduced to these food ads on TV, but now on the Internet. Food companies now have games and websites for kids. Even the marketers themselves feel ashamed for introducing these unhealthy foods to children at such a young age, and Sharon makes note of that in her article. Marketers increase their food advertisements on Saturday mornings knowing that most kids are watching cartoons at that time. Popular shows for kids have teamed up with fast food companies, selling the toy characters in happy meals.
Journalist for Ottawa Citizen
This article will help me because the statistics and percentages in this article are the same as my other articles proving they are reliable sources. Another way this information will help me is it gives good examples of what companies are increasing their advertisements and are solely targeting children. It also informs me of the percentage of money companies spend on advertisements for children.
The author’s audience again would be parents and the government. It’s informative and the audience can use the information to better their kid’s lives.
Aaron Baar. “Kellogg’s New Policy Is a Threat to Icons.” Adweek 18 Jun 2007:6 ABI/INFORM Global. ProQuest. Columbus Metropolitan Library, Columbus, Ohio. 1 Apr.2008 http://www.proquest.com.webproxyprod.columbuslibrary.org/
The article talks about the Kellogg character’s changing their image in order to prevent obesity. Kellogg will no longer advertise cereals that don’t meet new health standards for kids under the age of 12. Tony the Tiger now encourages children to exercise by giving them a list of activities they can participate in to earn “Tony Stripes”.
Journalist for Adweek
This article proves that if a company as large as Kellogg believes there is room for change than other companies should follow in the fight against early childhood obesity. I can use this article as an example of how we can make a change. There is a serious problem and companies need to be aware of the affects of their advertisements, and Kellogg is a good example of that.
The author’s audience is advertisement companies and parents. If companies see a strong successful company such as Kellogg making a drastic change in their advertisement and still maintain a thriving industry then maybe others will follow. Parent’s may read this ad and choose Kellogg brand over another because it is the healthier choice.
Allyce Bess, Of the Post-Dispatch. “Ads aimed at kids leave many to ask: Too much? Some groups want to limit marketing: [Five Star Lift Edition].” St. Louis Post-Dispatch [St. Louis, Mo.] 20 Jun 2004, A.1. ProQuestNewsstand- w/o Columbus. ProQuest. Columbus Metropolitan Library, Columbus, Ohio. 15 Apr.2008 http://www.proquest.com.webproxyprod.columbuslibrary.org/
This article reveals the amount of advertisement in schools. It also discloses the amount of money that companies are using to target children. Children spend most of their time in front of a TV or a computer, where most companies display their unhealthy food advertisements. Teachers speak out against advertisements, addressing the fact that their student’s can’t even use computers for research without being exposed to advertisements. Channel One was banned in some schools due to the amount of food advertisements.
Business Reporter, St. Louis Post-Dispatch
This article will help me convince my audience that their children are being exposed to food advertisements everywhere they go, even in an educational environment.
The audience is parents. The author wants parents, to become aware of what their kids are being exposed to when they aren’t around.

annotated sources

Gregg Cebrzynski. "FTC to subpoena 44 companies' kids-ad data. " Nation's Restaurant News 7 May 2007: 3,129,131. ABI/INFORM Global. ProQuest. Columbus Metropolitan Library, Columbus, Ohio. 15 Apr. 2008 http://www.proquest.comwebproxyprod.columbuslibrary.%20org/

The article talks about the FTC and congress investigating marketing companies that target kids. They are discovering that the products the companies are selling may be increasing the rate of obesity in children and adolescents. Some companies that may be targeted are McDonald's, Burger King, and Wendy's.
This article will back up my thesis that advertisement companies are targeting children and something needs to be done about it. The article addresses the issue of obesity and how marketing companies are to blame and I agree with that statement and think that this article can assist me in my research paper.
The author appears to have strong feelings toward this topic and is speaking against the advertisement companies. His audience would be the same as mine, parents of the children and the people that can and need to do something about the situation.

Wendy Melillo, Aaron Baar. "Battle Lines Are Drawn Over What Makes Kids Fat. " Adweek 31 Jan. 2005: 8 ABIINFORM Global. ProQuest. Columbus Metropolitan Library, Columbus, Ohio. 15 Apr. 2008 http://www.proquest.comwebproxyprod.columbuslibrary.org/

This article also addresses advertisement companies that are causing obesity in children and adolescents. Some advertisement companies have agreed to change their ad's that are targeting children. The writer also notes the different advertising techniques that some companies are using.
This article will serve as another form of information and prove that there is a problem. It also lists some of the companies that are attempting to regulate and correct the issue.
The author seems to be leaning towards the side that disagrees with the advertisement companies, but at the same time he makes sure to include an argument for the advertisement companies.

"North Carolina Health & Community Leaders Call on Rep. McIntyre to Cosponsor Legislation to Protect Kids from Tobacco. " U.S. Newswire 11 October 2007 ProQuest Newsstand-w/o Columbus. ProQuest. Columbus Metropolitan Library, Columbus, Ohio. 15 Apr.2008

This article talks about smoking and how it is the number one preventable cause of death in our country. It also notes that fact that it wouldn't be such an issue if kids didn't start the habit at such a young age. The unfortunate part of this is advertisement companies are targeting young kids making it difficult for them to turn it down.
This article will serve as another form of dangerous advertisement that I can compare to food advertisements targeting kids. It addresses the issue that adolescents are naive, and more like to fall for advertisements that are targeted towards them.
The audience is people that have the ability to change this problem. The FDA, parents, and the government.

pp#3

The Ban on “Downer” Cows
Although it might be too late; I think that Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer’s decision of banning “downer” cows was more than appropriate considering the affects that diseased cows could have on society. “Downer” cows are more likely to suffer from mad cow disease which is fatal for humans that come in contact with the virus.
Before we had the intelligence and ability to test animals for illnesses we would determine their health by their physical appearance and behavior. Nowadays people are tempted to push the boundaries as much as they can for the sake of money. This article is a perfect example of companies taking advantage of their consumers. Any person will admit that they would rather be served the cow that is fed well and appears healthy versus a cow that looks ill and is having trouble standing.
USDA deserves to be shut down for putting mistreated and unhealthy cows on the market. Although no illnesses have been linked to the recalled meat, that doesn’t mean the disease hasn’t affected people. It sometimes takes 2-8 years (emedicinehealth) for symptoms to become evident. As a result of the prolonged symptoms people may not discover that they are infected with this illness until it is too late, and at that point it may be impossible to trace it back to the meat recall.
143 million pounds of beef having to be recalled is unacceptable. There is not a shortage of cows so we shouldn’t feel obligated to use cows that appear unhealthy and diseased. Maybe we were better off without the technology and basing our choice of product on appearance. What is the point of having the ability of knowing whether our meat is safe or not if we aren’t going to use it?

Position paper (4/6/08)

The Omnivore’s Dilemma discusses the alterations in the American food chain in order to meet the demands of the economy. In the process of making these changes, farm animals have suffered tremendously. The book specifically addresses the change in the maintenance of cows.
There was a time when cows would graze the fields, eating the food that was intended for them, which at that time was grass. Now with the demands of society the diet and life style of cows has changed immensely. When scientist and farmers discovered how cheap of a product corn was to maintain and grow they began to use it anywhere they could. Cows have now been trained to feed on corn due to the fact that it fattens them up quicker and it enables farmers to utilize their land more efficiently. Large areas of land are no longer reserved for cows to graze on because the severe alterations in their diets. Cows are now forced into a small area until they are fat enough to slaughter. The author directly identifies the new lifestyle for cows:
“Here, hundreds of millions of food animals that once lived on family farms and ranches are gathered together in great commissaries, where they consume as much of the mounting pile of surplus corn as they can digest, turning it to meat”(64).
The positive thing about feeding corn to cows is it has decreased the cost of meat, but in return has created many unsanitary problems. When cows would feed on grass farmers had the ability to use their manure to fertilize the crops. Now with the cows change in diet we are unable to utilize the manure, and there has become a huge surplus. Now farmers have created Waste Lagoons as an attempt to dispose of all the unwanted manure. The waste attracts insects that can transfer the diseases to humans. There is also the chance of dump overflowing into the water infecting the fish we eat and the water we drink.
Although the modifications have improved some parts of our economy it has unintentionally created a negative domino effect in nature. Only time will reveal the negative effects of these alterations. Americans eventually will have to choose what is more important to them, money or their health.

New Proposal

Friday, April 4, 2008

ProposalFor my paper I intend on writing about the forms of advertisements. Generally I will focus on the different types of advertisements, the groups that are targeted, and how advertisements affect the decision making process, specifically for kids. I think it's important to address this issue because obesity starts at such an early age, making it almost impossible to correct the situation later in life. The majority of junk food is advertised to attract a younger crowd and that is purely because they don't know the negative effects that come along with eating those unhealthy foods. I will also discuss the importance of education on this matter in schools. Kids are constantly being targeted by the advertisement companies and by natural instinct give into what they are selling. In my paper I will discuss the psychological reasoning behind children choosing the more unhealthy food products over the nutritional ones. The majority of the time the children aren’t choosing food based on taste, but instead how it is being presented to them. A child is more likely to choose the more colorful box with heroic figures on it versus a dull item that contains nutritional value. Later when they have become obese they are targeted by a different group that is advertising diets and exercise plans. It is a vicious circle, almost as if both advertisement groups are working together? The advertisement companies are very adept at attracting a specific audience. Eating unhealthy items wouldn’t become such a habit for people if companies aimed at selling more nutritional items versus unhealthy ones. My audience will be the parents of the children. I hope to persuade the audience to view eating habits that could eventually cause health issues later in life, to be similar to tobacco which also can affect ones health. Once I do that I will be able to pose the idea of censoring the advertisement of unhealthy food items.

Proposal
For my paper I intend on writing about the forms of advertisements. Generally I will focus on the different types of advertisements, the groups that are targeted, and how advertisements affect the decision making process, specifically for kids. I think it's important to address this issue because obesity starts at such an early age, making it almost impossible to correct the situation later in life. The majority of junk food is advertised to attract a younger crowd and that is purely because they don't know the negative effects that come along with eating those unhealthy foods. I will also discuss the importance of education on this matter in schools. Kids are constantly being targeted by the advertisement companies and by natural instinct give into what they are selling. In my paper I will discuss the psychological reasoning behind children choosing the more unhealthy food products over the nutritional ones. The majority of the time the children aren’t choosing food based on taste, but instead how it is being presented to them. A child is more likely to choose the more colorful box with heroic figures on it versus a dull item that contains nutritional value. Later when they have become obese they are targeted by a different group that is advertising diets and exercise plans. It is a vicious circle, almost as if both advertisement groups are working together? The advertisement companies are very adept at attracting a specific audience. Eating unhealthy items wouldn’t become such a habit for people if companies aimed at selling more nutritional items versus unhealthy ones.

Draft of Proposal

For my paper I intend on writing about the forms of advertisements. Generally I will focus on the different types of advertisements and the groups that are targeted, specifically kids. I think it's important to address this issue because obesity starts at such an early age and makes it almost impossible to correct the situation later in life. The majority of junk food is advertised to attract a younger crowd and that is purely because they don't know the negative effects that come along with eating those unhealthy foods. I will also discuss the importance of education on this matter in schools. Kids are constantly being targeted by the advertisement companies and by natural instinct give into what they are selling. Later when they have become obese they are targeted by a different group that is advertising diets and exercise plans. It is a vicious circle, almost as if both advertisement groups are working together?