Welcome back!
If part one got you thinking, then buckle up for part two because Dr. Babayemi Osinaike is taking us deeper into the rabbit hole of kids’ nutrition. This time, we’re talking about the sneaky role of advertising.
So, here’s something to chew on: peer pressure is a real thing for parents. We all know that. But what makes it worse?
Dr. Osinaike brought up some scary statistics that we absolutely need to face. Are you ready for this?
Advertisements!
And we’re not just talking about a couple of ads here and there.
Did you know that in Australia alone, kids aged 12-17 see a whopping 14.4 million food ads every year? Let that sink in for a second. Now imagine what kind of food is being pushed on them.
Spoiler alert: It’s not broccoli and carrots! Nope, it’s those unhealthy snacks, you know the ones. often endorsed by celebrities and influencers our kids admire, smiling away as they promote them. It’s no wonder kids are hooked, and we as parents feel the pressure.
We’re talking about a double whammy here. Peer pressure meets powerful advertising.
Dr. Osinaike, who’s raised two kids himself, knows exactly what that pressure feels like. Combine societal influences with flashy ads, and boom, you’ve got a recipe for unhealthy eating habits. The sad reality? We’re seeing a spike in non-communicable diseases like childhood obesity and it’s bringing friends along for the ride, like diabetes.
Speaking of unhealthy habits, Dr. Osinaike shared a hilarious (but eye-opening) confession. He isn’t just preaching—he’s lived it!
Picture this: a young, carefree kid ruling the streets with his sugary snacks. He was the undisputed king of unhealthy diets, slathering icing on bread like it was nobody’s business! (Yes, you read that right—icing!). “Cholesterol? Pfft! Even cholesterol was afraid of my body,” he joked.
But here’s the thing: you can look skinny on the outside and still be storing up a ton of bad cholesterol on the inside (the low-density kind), and it’s silently doing damage inside. even if you can still fit into your favorite jeans!
It took some serious effort for him to cut back and turn things around..
So, what can we do about it?
It’s time to seriously consider policy changes in how we handle food marketing and health education. Over the last two decades, there’s been a strong movement around the world advocating for the idea of food as medicine.
Countries like the UK, US, and Australia have made significant investments in promoting healthier diets. It’s becoming more common to hear about medically tailored diets in these places, and it’s about time we bring that mindset into our own communities!
Stay tuned for part 3, where we dive into the final chapter of Dr. Osinaike’s powerful insights on how we can take action—because trust me, there’s so much more to uncover! You won’t want to miss it.
Watch full video here.