Chewing the Fat: Obesity Ads
Georgia’s childhood obesity ads are getting plenty of attention. But has the campaign from Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta bitten off more than kids can chew?
As an Atlantan I see the ads. As a parent I see that at this week’s middle school basketball game the booster club is giving away free hotdogs. What’s a kid, of any size, to do? They’re bombarded with misinformation. Every party involves a pizza, and even the vegetarian options are all about cheese. (Since when was cheese a vegetable?)
Why do we dumb down food choices for our children? Why do we present them with “kids’ menus” offering chicken tenders, noodles and fries? Children are smart enough to learn that eating man-made foods (anything out of a package), rather than earth-grown foods (fruits and vegetables) allows someone else to make money off their future ill health. And obesity is a clear symptom of that ill health.
Children’s Healthcare encourages more exercise and “healthy” food choices. But who will demonstrate what a healthy food choice is?
Thanks Fooducate for encouraging us to chew the fat.
Very sad… Our children deserve a healthier path. Great job getting the word out!
Hello can I reference some of the material here in this entry if I reference you with a link back to your site?
Good job
These ads could be a little ofnivsefe, depending on the person. I personally understand the point they’re trying to ge across, but it is a little harsh. Are these ads directed torward children? If so, it may cause low self-esteem, inadequate feelings, and bullying. Hopefully these ads are ONLY geared towards adults. The warnings are good, but they need to be backed up with education on nutrition, exercise, portion control, healthy habits, budgeting, and so on. The thing is not all fat or chubby kids become obese adults; sometimes it’s just a pre-pubescent phase. But over all, I think the ads will be somewhat effective.
If the kids in the picture and their paetnrs understood what this ad campaign is all about, I see nothing wrong with it. I feel it’s equivalent to a person fighting cancer, posing for ads to get screened. I agree it’s pretty touchy because I wonder how this ad would effect the kids posing in it, as well as the fact that weight is a very touchy subject. But I personally don’t think the ads are out of control or meant to be interpreted as a way to shame those with a weight problem.