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Junk Food Ads Make You Overeat
By: Scottsdale Weight Loss Center
Published: February 9, 2016
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It might sound like common sense, or at least advertising 101, but there is enough research completed on the subject for the verdict to finally be in. We live in a culture that is surrounded by advertisements, many of which are for what has been dubbed “fast food.” This includes any food items that are quickly prepared and intended to be eaten on the go, taking much of the thought and planning out of the dining experience. Combine these quick-fix advertisements with the many commercials for junk foods and indulgent desserts, and you have sensory overload, with every ad pointing directly towards your stomach.
Spend a day in Scottsdale and you’ll be confronted with bus advertisements, billboards, magazine ads and of course TV commercials—all for different types of food. The food industry is in constant competition for your taste buds, but the one who ends up losing after all of this isn’t the company with the bottom line returns. It’s you.
The Trouble with Advertising
The problem with food advertising is that there is an exceptionally strong relationship between reactivity, food cues, and personal weight and eating habits. Basically, this means that seeing advertisements for food is going to make you want to eat. Even if the commercial for that Big Mac isn’t making you want to eat a Big Mac—or if you combat that urge and opt for something healthier instead, these advertisements are still increasing the urge to eat. Whatever way you shake it, advertisements are encouraging over eating.
There hasn’t been a commercial on TV for smoking since President Nixon was in office. The reason for this is that it was determined that advertising smoking was harming too much of our population simply because the advertisements worked. They made people want to smoke.
Of course, it is different with food—or at least the food industries will want you to believe so. Everyone has to eat, and so advertising different options for food isn’t the same as advertising for something that was recognized as harmful to one’s health. Except the advertisements that dominate the TV and magazines aren’t healthy foods, which means that in short, these advertisements are indeed promoting something that is damaging to the general population—and the general population is continuing to grow unhealthy as a result.
It is hard to say if there is a way that this problem can be fixed, but knowing that there is a problem might be the first step. On the consumer side, knowing that these advertisements are messing with your mind might be helpful. Plan your meals ahead of time and stick to your weight loss diet plan. When cravings happen, acknowledge them and move on. Many of these advertisements rely on people not wanting to think too hard about their food choices. You can combat these ads by being more cognizant in every bite you take.
Nick
Nick's Story
"I wish I would have come here first. We spend all our time reacting to the next great weight loss tip or program. It might work for a while, but does not last and we end up yo-yoing from one fad to the next – as we gain more weight." Read More
Gina
Lost 44.5 lbs
"I had no trouble adhering to the meals and they really helped catapult my progress! The classes were so beneficial to me because they helped change my thinking about how I viewed health, nutrition, and fitness.
I will always have my relationship with Scottsdale Weight Loss Center. They truly helped me change my life forever." Read More
Lauren
Lost 60 lbs
"Dr. Ziltzer and everyone who I have come in contact with at the Scottsdale Weight Loss office have been so encouraging and I look forward to seeing them each week. It is now a year and 2 months later since I started. I am down 60 lbs., which is the average amount a 9-year-old weighs, it is crazy to think I lost a whole person! I feel amazing, I hit my goal weight in November 2021 just before Thanksgiving. Nothing on my body hurts anymore..." Read More
Chuck
Lost 66 lbs
"The best thing I did was call the Scottsdale Weight Loss Center. I have a lot more energy, I'm not hungry, and it feels great.
You can take it from me that this is a program that produces results. The staff is always positive, supportive, and never judgmental.
Your visits always result in positive reinforcement, no matter if you had a good week or a bad week." Read More
Emily
Lost 101 lbs
"Here I am at the lowest I have been since high school weighing in at 155lbs. I have lost 101 lbs, BMI of 39 when I started, to 21.6, and of course at body fat % of 47.1 to 26.5%. I told myself by my 30th birthday I wanted to be confident in the way I look and I owe it all to SWLC. The entire staff is so welcoming and they are rooting for you just as much as you are rooting for yourself...." Read More
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Meet Our Team
Robert Ziltzer, MD, FACP, FAAP, FOMA
Obesity Medicine Certified Physician
Diana Bone, FNP-C
Specializing in Obesity Medicine
Craig Primack, MD, FACP, FAAP, MFOMA
Obesity Medicine Certified Physician
Kristen Ash, FNP-C, FNP-BC
Nurse Practitioner
Alicia Earley, FNP-C
Family Nurse Practitioner
