Health and hard-earned money traded on high-fat, poor-quality food

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?"

Dr. Sass realizes that there is no easy solution to the destructive cycle this problem creates. Instead, he urges companies and organizations to create healthy foods to routinely advertise and educate. Consequently, if companies begin to produce food manufactured with healthy, good fats, low sugar, more fiber and nutrients, perhaps the public will become aware of the differences and wake up from the trance the unhealthy products and habits have created.

Ultimately the change will have to come from consumers; they have to decide if their health and weight are important and worth protecting. Should consumers choose to spend hard-earned money on poor-quality food, then the giant companies monopolizing the airwaves will continue manufacturing. Dr. Sass encourages a change that will take longer to achieve: Public education, awareness and better choices will lessen the demand for unhealthy food choices. In turn, major companies will have to cater to what consumers want.

"If we buy healthy products, that's what they'll make," says Dr. Sass, urging people to change their buying habits. "Remember, what you buy ends up in your body!"