Those who consider modern social structures and our busy life styles are the main cause of our unhealthy eating habits might say that advertisements are not the main factor of our unhealthy eating habits. However, I agree with the idea that advertisements have attributed much to
our unhealthy eating habits. There are two major aspects: ads for food and ads for other products.
To begin with, when it comes to us eating high calorie meals and fast food, advertisements are the major cause. In a sense, it is true that there are nothing we can do to change our eating habits unless this fast moving and time sensitive society changes. However, we can eat healthy food even if we are running busy. For example, you can eat one healthy, slow meals instead of having unhealthy, high-calorie fast food threetimes a day. Therefore,modern social structures and our busy life styles cannot be the appropriate reason for us to have unhealthy eating habits. Thus, what causes us to eat improperly is, in fact, advertisements. People might argue that as society is getting more complex, people are more highly educated. Therefore, advertisements cannot make us what we do not want to do. However, it is not our educational backgrounds but human instincts that ad makers use. For example,sexy Britney Spears intoduces brand new coke in the commercial break of a marathon break. We would feel thirsty even if we are not the runners. Thus, we buy and drink them only to find out that it is harmful for our health. What is worse, kids think that they can be healthy only if they eat 'Happy Meals'after watching the commercial that the Batman becomes more powerful after eating them. They also get batman toys as a 'prize' of eating 'Happy Meals' They literally become happy. Which child can resist this temptation.
Moreover, as far as our irregular diet is concerned, there is nothing more harmful than advertisements. Lets take a look at advertisements in subways and newspapers. All models appear in these ads have a perfect figure which makes us feel bad about ourselves. From an attractive man shaving in the shower to a woman in bikini, there are all kinds of ads which urges us to go on a diet. In a sense people might say that how about TV programs and dramas? Many entertaniners who have a perfect body appear on TV and movies all the time! However, they cannot be the main cause because only advertisements are shown again and again. Such repitition brainwashes us. For example, you see an ad about someone who lost 40pounds on TV by taking a certain product again and again while you are having a delicious dinner. You are more likely to lose your appetite and consider going on a diet. I mean a yoyo diet. This might pose a threat to your health and overall, it would not help you in anyways let alone losing your weight.
In conclusion, as far as ads for food and ads for other products are concerned, they are major stimulus that makes us eat illogically and go on a irregular diet without doctors' advice. Therefore, it is critical for us to be able to differenciate cons and pros in advertisements and make a right decision for our health.