Fast Food Advertising to Children – Public Health Concern or Business Strategy?

1. Warm-Up Questions

1. Should fast food companies be allowed to advertise to children?

2. Does advertising unhealthy food contribute to childhood obesity?

3. Can marketing to children be considered unethical?

4. Should governments restrict fast food advertisements aimed at kids?

2. Vocabulary Preparation

Advanced Vocabulary – Match the words to their definitions:

1. child-targeted marketing

2. nutritional value

3. brand loyalty

4. public health campaign

5. regulatory restriction

6. consumer behavior

7. obesity epidemic

8. ethical advertising

A. Marketing strategies aimed at children
B. How healthy or beneficial a food is for health
C. Consumers’ preference for specific brands
D. Efforts to educate or improve population health
E. Legal limits placed on advertising practices
F. Patterns and decisions of buyers and consumers
G. Widespread increase in overweight and obesity rates
H. Advertising that respects moral and ethical standards

Fun Vocabulary Game – “Fast Food Ads: Influence or Harm?”

Choose the correct term:

1. Ads aimed at kids are an example of (child-targeted marketing / ethical advertising).

2. The focus on calories and vitamins reflects (nutritional value / brand loyalty).

3. Loyalty to a fast food chain from a young age is (brand loyalty / obesity epidemic).

4. Government campaigns against junk food illustrate (public health campaign / consumer behavior).

5. Limits on advertising sugary foods are (regulatory restriction / nutritional value).

6. Buying more fast food after seeing ads shows (consumer behavior / ethical advertising).

Fast Food Advertising to Children – Business Growth or Public Health Threat?

Fast food companies have long relied on advertising to attract new customers, with a particular focus on children. Television commercials, social media campaigns, branded toys, and games are commonly used to encourage children to prefer certain brands. Proponents argue that advertising is a legitimate business strategy that helps companies grow and supports jobs in marketing, media, and food production. Critics, however, warn that targeting children with high-calorie, low-nutrient foods contributes to the obesity epidemic and raises serious ethical concerns.

According to a 2025 report by the World Health Organization, over 40 million children under the age of five are overweight globally, with fast food consumption cited as a major contributing factor. Child-targeted marketing plays a central role in shaping food preferences, often fostering early brand loyalty that can continue into adulthood. Bright packaging, fun mascots, and interactive digital content make fast food products highly appealing to children, even when they are nutritionally poor.

Consumer behavior studies show that children are highly impressionable and may influence family purchasing decisions. This phenomenon, often called the “pester power” effect, increases the demand for advertised products. Fast food companies argue that they are merely meeting consumer demand, but public health experts highlight the long-term consequences for children’s health, including obesity, diabetes, and other diet-related diseases.

Regulatory restrictions have been implemented in some countries to limit advertising to children. For example, certain European nations have banned television ads for high-fat, high-sugar foods during children’s programming. In addition, public health campaigns aim to educate families about nutritional value and encourage healthier eating habits. Critics argue that these measures are necessary to counteract the overwhelming influence of commercial interests on children.

Ethical advertising is increasingly emphasized, calling on companies to consider the social impact of their marketing practices. Some fast food chains have begun promoting healthier menu options and clearly labeling nutritional information. Yet, skeptics warn that these changes are often minor and do not fully mitigate the effects of child-targeted marketing. The debate continues over whether marketing strategies that influence young children can ever be truly ethical.

Balancing business growth with social responsibility remains a challenge. Fast food advertising generates significant revenue, supporting jobs and economic activity. Yet, public health advocates emphasize that protecting children’s health should take priority. Collaborative efforts among governments, parents, and companies are needed to ensure that marketing strategies do not compromise the well-being of young consumers. Only through regulation, education, and responsible corporate behavior can a balance be achieved between commercial success and public health.

4. Grammar Practice

A. Cause and Effect Sentences

Rewrite the sentences using appropriate connectors (because, due to, as a result, therefore):

1. Fast food ads target children. Childhood obesity rates rise.

2. Bright mascots and toys are used. Children prefer certain brands.

3. Children influence family purchases. Fast food demand increases.

4. Governments restrict advertising. Companies must change marketing strategies.

5. Nutritional labeling is implemented. Consumers make informed choices.

6. High sugar intake occurs. Long-term health issues develop.

B. Conditional Sentences

Complete the sentences:

1. If companies stopped advertising to children, childhood obesity ___ (decrease).

2. Had parents limited fast food consumption, long-term health issues ___ (be) reduced.

3. If governments enforce stricter regulations, marketing influence ___ (decline).

4. Should companies prioritize ethical advertising, public trust ___ (increase).

5. If children received better nutritional education, unhealthy food demand ___ (fall).

6. Were healthier menu options promoted more widely, diet-related illnesses ___ (decline).

5. Creative Task – “Fast Food Marketing Role-Play Challenge”

Students are divided into four teams with specific roles:

Roles:

• Marketing Team: Creates a mock advertising campaign targeting children. Must include slogans, mascots, or social media ideas.

• Public Health Team: Prepares a campaign highlighting the risks of child-targeted advertising, including statistics and health advice.

• Government Regulators: Role-play as policymakers proposing new rules or restrictions on advertising to children.

• Parent Advocacy Group: Represents parents’ concerns and reacts to both marketing and public health campaigns.

Instructions:

1. Each team prepares a 3-5 minute presentation demonstrating their strategy or perspective.

2. Teams must use at least 5 vocabulary words from the worksheet in their presentation.

3. Teams interact during a role-play debate, asking questions, responding to challenges, and negotiating solutions.

4. Include props, posters, mock social media posts, or videos to make presentations engaging.

5. At the end, the class votes on which team most effectively communicated their position and demonstrated creativity.

This version encourages dynamic role-play, negotiation, and collaboration, making the topic more interactive and fun while reinforcing vocabulary, critical thinking, and persuasive skills.