The average percentage of overweight in the world population is approximately 60%. 60% of obese children in the USA. In France, the percentage has increased from 3% in 1965 to 25% in 2004. According to the WHO, this is one of the main health problems hitting children in industrialized countries.The causes may be geographical , cultural or family environmental, genetics, lack of physical activity, etc. Heavy children undergo severe discrimination. For the past 40 years, specialists have studied and incriminated food ads and have come up with contradictory results: Some feel that these ads would have an influence on only 2% of purchased goods. Others believe that a direct correlation exists between publicity and consumer behavior. Age is also an important factor of influence - before the age of 12 a child does not realize that what he sees is only publicity. We all have an important role to play to put a stop to that. Brands had to react to consumer critics by modifying the contents of their products. Industries have come up with "light" food products with less fat and less sugar. Publicity has been modified and educational nutrition programs are broadcast .
  

Responsibilities are shared by food industries, ad agencies and TV chains. Parents' role is of the utmost importance. They admit that publicity has a disastrous effect on their nutritional habits, but react differently when it comes to the impact it has on their own children. Some are favorable to ads and others are firmly opposed. Undoubtedly, they must manage this tough situation where their offsprings shrewdly influence shopping in view of their pleasure to the prejudice of their own health.
  

Governments should also react to this situation. Some have taken restrictive measures to fight obesity by introducing more sports in school, information sessions for parents, etc. Some legislations make it compulsary for publicity to include information on the need for physical activity, and even forbid sale of sodas and chocolate bars on school grounds. According to a British study, this has not succeeded in reducing the overweight problem. The effects of  publicity on obesity are difficult to evaluate compared to other causes.

  

We are all concerned. Therefore we should all make it our business to better inform consumers and incite our children to move more, moderate their appetite and influence their choice for healthy food.