Globalization can be
defined as increasing cross-border interaction and integration of various
aspects of human activity. Contemporary media technologies such as satellite
television and the Internet have created a steady flow of transnational images
that connect audiences worldwide (Kraidy, 2002). It contributes to
McDonaldization, which is a process of growing fast food restaurants such as
McDonald, Taco Bell, KFC and Pizza Hut all over the world. For example, McDonald is the biggest fast food chain
in the world, with 32,000 outlets in 117 countries (Salisbury, 2011).
In Singapore, many
shopping malls are filled with McDonaldized shops that sell the same
predictable products in all of their stores. It increases accessibility
of children to fast food restaurants. Besides, most women
involving in labor force prefer fast food to homecooked food for their kids.
Children who face a lot of stress from school put fast food as their first
choice because it is efficient, cheap and fast. These reasons contribute to
increasing fast food consumption and obesity among children in Singapore. To
ameliorate this problem, Singapore government can restrict the fast food
advertisements and implement school-based intervention.
Child obesity is the main
problem resulting from growing of fast food restaurants. According to Eveline
(2013), Singapore’s childhood obesity rate has
inched upwards over the past decade. In 2011, about 11 percent of school going
children are overweight, based on the Body Mass Index (BMI)-for-age norms
introduced in 2010. From 2000 to 2009, the prevalence rate hovered around 9.7
percent, based on weight-for-height norms. Diet is one of the important factors
to cause child obesity. For instance, fast food is extremely unhealthy as it is high
in cholesterol, sugar, salt and even chemical additives. Each fast food meal is
packed with more calories than children needs in a day and actually excess calories are hazardous to children as it will be
stored in the body and converted to fat. This directly increases the risk of
suffering from chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure
and heart diseases. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, n.d.) Indisputably,
more weight-related health problems may be experienced by obese children if
they do not have well control of their dietary habits.
Furthermore, child obesity can affect mental
health and emotional development of children. People who were obese in childhood
are more likely to have poor body image, as well as low self-esteem and confidence.
They may be mocked and discriminated by their friends. Studies have shown that
adolescents and young adults with obesity in the West are less likely to
achieve higher education and better pay, and less likely to be married. This
can lead to reactive depression. (Eveline, 2013) Unequivocally, this is a bad
phenomenon as it will affect future human capital in Singapore.
To solve these problems, policy
approaches can be used to raise awareness of children as well as public. Singapore
government can restrict the fast food advertisements especially those are
targeted on children as they are more susceptible to commercial persuasion. Research found that children,
especially the younger ones, do not comprehend the persuasive intent of
advertising. They generally lack the capability to effectively evaluate
commercial claims and appeals, and therefore tend to accept the information
conveyed in advertising as truthful, accurate and unbiased. (Health Promotion
Board, n.d.) For example, children cannot be blamed if they love Happy Meals at
McDonald’s. Therefore, restriction of fast food advertisements can effectively
reduce obesity among children.
Moreover, school based intervention can be
implemented by Singapore government. According to Hartman (2012), Singapore’s
Ministry of Education (MOE) focuses on promoting mental wellness at an early age
to ensure children have the coping skills to go through different life stages.
In Singapore, children face a lot of stress to cope with their hectic school
life. Therefore, coping skills are essential so that they will not become
addicted to fast food due to shorter waiting time. To improve the efficiency to
reduce child obesity, Singapore government can stipulate some regulations to
limit the types of food that can be sold in school. For example, school can
provide healthy meal plan for students instead of selling fast food to limit
students’ exposure to sugar, salt and cholesterol.
In conclusion, increasing fast food
consumption among children can raise obesity and affect their physical and
mental health. Singapore government should recognize this problem and try to mitigate
it through policy approaches.
References:
Kraidy, M.M.. (2002). Globalization of Culture through Media. Retrieved
10 October 2013 from http://repository.upenn.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1333&context=asc_papers
Salisbury, P.. (2011,
Jun 16). The Globalization of “Fast Food”. Behind the Brand: McDonald’s. Global Research. Retrieved 10 October
2013 from
Eveline. (2013, March
27). The weighty issue of obesity in children. Health. Retrieved 10 October 2013 from
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Healthy
Weight – it’s not a diet, it’s a lifestyle!. Retrieved 10 October 2013 from
Health Promotion
Board. (n.d.). Public Consultation on the
Proposed Strengthening of Food Advertising Guidelines for Children. Retrieved
10 October 2013 from
Hartman, P.. (2012, May 2). Singapore Revisited.
Childhood Obesity News. Retrieved 10
October 2013 from
Thanks, Foo Eng. We may look at this in class. :)
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