Dr. Sasson Moulavi, M.D., in a recent blog commented that food advertising is such a science that the average consumer does not have any chance of resisting when tempted by high-sugar, high-fat foods. In 2008, food and beverage companies spent $13.44 billion on advertising according to Advertising Age (6/09) and WPP's TNS Media Intelligence reporting.
Whether through television ads or walking the mall, food manufacturing companies have become experts at getting consumers to salivate over their food via tempting, hypnotic advertising. Consumers often choose these products without understanding that not only do they cost more, but they do not use healthful ingredients. Ultimately, choosing high-sugar, high-fat, poor-quality food, consumers develop weight issues, illness and health care expense.
"It really amazes me to see overweight adults and kids waiting in line to trade their hard-earned money and health for a bag of fried, high-fat, low-nutrient, poor-quality food," explains Dr. Sass, a bariatric physician. "Most people are in a trance brought on by millions of television commercials and other advertising where we can't say 'no.' What chance do parents have to refuse a burger and fries when kids have seen a meticulously crafted commercial enticing them to buy this food - not to mention the toy accompanying the purchase?"