Topic: Childhood Obesity is Big Business

Written by Chris Titus, CFA

Date:   Tuesday, December 22
Time:   15:00 GMT

Language:   English
Level:   Pre-Intermediate to Intermediate
Summary - We will discuss food marketing trends in the United States 

Warm Up

• Describe some food related television commercials that are for children in your country

Vocabulary and Definitions (difficult words in video or article):

• word:  to curb / to limit
  
• word:  obesity
  
• word:  saturated fat
  
• word:  to influence
  
• word:  binding
  

Article (Except)

Officials from many federal agencies recommend curbing advertising of foods and beverages that have a lot of sugar, sodium and saturated fat.  The recommendation is related to the growth in childhood obesity.

The proposal says that food companies should only market healthy foods to children.  Congress created the group of agencies to change current marketing standards that influence children's eating habits.  Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Chairman Jon Leibowitz says that the food industry isn't doing enough to limit the marketing of unhealthy foods to children.

David C. Vladeck, director of the FTC's consumer protection bureau, said that the proposals aren't regulations and aren't binding.  He said companies should pay attention because if they don't change food marketing standards, "Congress may decide for all of us."

Discussion Questions (used to keep the conversation going):

• What do the federal agencies want to change?
• Why do they want to change it?
• How will they change it?
• Do the agencies want the food companies to regulate themselves?
• If the food companies can\'t make changes, what will Congress do?
• Do regulations exist in your country for this type of marketing?
• Should similar changes be made in your country?

Role Play or Activity:   

You are a food company executive.  Your best selling product has too much sugar relative to the proposed regulations.  Will you change your product, marketing, both, or do nothing?  Why?

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