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Are Anti-Obesity Ads Too Harsh or Just What the Doctor Ordered?
Georgia Children's Health Alliance created the new anti-obesity campaign which features images of obese children.
Georgia has released a new ad campaign to raise awareness of the problem with childhood obesity. The ads are shot in black and white, somber, and draw a very clear picture on why children are becoming obese and what the repercussions are — at the doctor’s office and the playground. The billboards feature photos of overweight children and slogans like, “Big bones didn’t make me this way. Big meals did.”
The website StopChildhoodObesity.com clearly states, “Georgia has a childhood obesity problem and a community that has had enough.” Continuing at the bottom of the page, “Ignoring this problem is what got us here. It’s time to wake up.”
While some fear that the campaign will only increase the stigma and discrimination against the overweight, others are applauding the campaign for its audacious attempt to get people to listen. Per the CBS News website, the Georgia Children’s Health Alliance defends the campaign, saying it needed to “jar parents of obese kids out of a state of denial that their children had a problem.”
Georgia has the second highest rate of childhood obesity in the U.S., with nearly one million overweight or obese children. According to the website, one of the reasons they started the campaign is because they want to be the “first southern state to fix the problem.”
The National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance decries the ads saying, “Billboards depicting fat kids are extraordinarily harmful to the very kids they are supposedly trying to help.” And Rebecca Puhl, a Yale psychologist specializing in weight discrimination, states that “Stigma is never a motivator” and “We need to be sure we are fighting obesity, not obese people.”
Niceties aside, like the anti-smoking campaigns that have taken 30 years to lower the percentage of US smokers to less than 20%, the campaign to reduce obesity rates will take time. And like the warnings on boxes of cigarettes that state, “WARNING: This product causes cancer.” — maybe it’s time that we handle obesity like the killer it is and the money-drain it will continue to be on our economy as the epidemic creates a population with a lifetime of obesity related health issues.
It’s no secret that obesity causes type-2 diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, liver and kidney disease. But every family in America needs to understands that what and how they eat is causing their weight to climb to unhealthy levels. Maybe someday soon we will see food labels warning that” high fat content causes hypertension” or taxes on sugared drinks to help deter people from stocking up on unhealthy food, but until then education is the only tool available.
See all the videos in the series here.
Do you think that the ads will unfairly target already stigmatized obese children? Or do you think that this is just the kind of wake-up call parents need to see that they are culpable in their children’s weight issues?
Photo and Video Courtesy of: ©2011 Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Inc.
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32 Comments
Little Frogs commented on Oct 27 11 at 8:27 pmHere are some helpful ways the state could work on this:
1. Have cooking/nutrition classes for kids throughout the state. They should be open for everyone but with spots reserved for students with health problems; mandate insurance pay for them for children who are obese or have the state pay for them (probably easiest).
2. Community centers with exercise opportunities for all kids. Pools, indoor playgrounds, basketball courts, etc. Make membership state sponsored for any child who is obese or has been diagnosed as obese at any time in their childhood.
3. Require more recess time in schools.
4. School lunches need to be made in scratch kitchens and made the day they are served. Increase protein, fresh fruit and vegs. These need to be served 52 weeks a year for our low-income students.
5. Georgie probably has lots of small farmers. Provide WIC families with CSA baskets… perhaps not with some of the esoteric ingredients I’ve gotten in the past.
6. Summer nutrition/exercise programs for kids.
7. Parent nutrition and cooking classes
June the Homemaker commented on Oct 27 11 at 9:49 pmI submit that the biggest problem in addressing childhood obesity is addressing parental obesity. Parents don’t want to correct their children’s eating behaviors because it means correcting their own, or giving up things they want or unhealthy behavior they don’t want to see in themselves. When the parents wake up to their own problems, we’ll start seeing healthier kids.
LS commented on Oct 27 11 at 9:59 pmThese are some pretty good ideas, Little Frogs! :)
Linda, t.o.o. commented on Oct 27 11 at 10:37 pmI think all those ideas are wonderful, but how are states going to pay for them? I know here, they’re getting ready to axe the entire Basic Health plan in order to try and balance the budget.
Voice of Reason commented on Oct 28 11 at 12:52 amI know what’s going to be the new playground taunt in Georgia, ““Big bones didn’t make you that way. Big meals did.”
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This is a cheap, band aid solution, driven by PR.
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If they were really interested in solving the obesity crisis, they’d invest in some meaningful ideas like the ones Little Frogs suggested above.
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What they are really interested in is looking like they are interested in solving the obesity crisis.
Little Frogs commented on Oct 28 11 at 3:14 amLinda,
We’re undertaxing ourselves to death. We need to raise taxes back to what they were before the Bush cuts… at least.
bob commented on Oct 28 11 at 8:55 amI’m personally amazed that we can maintain the fiction that obesity has become a problem because, suddenly, Americans lost the ability to self-regulate; that somehow it all boils down to personal responsibility. I maintain that we’re fat because we have more access to calories, we’re afraid to play outside because of outsized fears of crime and injuries (thanks to media hype), we no longer smoke, we live in places where walking is an impractical means of transportation or our lives don’t permit us the time to walk. Also, manual labor has been largely mechanized and we’re working more hours, so we have less time to do active things with our families…
Andrea commented on Oct 28 11 at 9:03 amMy big problem is that this should not be an image of a child. It is NOT this little person’s fault she has been made obese, and it is just plain old cruel to make her (or any other child) the focus of the campaign. It shold be a picture of her mother or father (or whoever serves meals at her house) loading up her plate with unhealthy foods and putting it down in front of her. Then “big meals” makes sense. It is the adults who are allowing their children to eat crap and stay indoors all the time who are at fault. Not the children.
Little Frogs commented on Oct 28 11 at 9:05 amAgreed Bob. But I think the huge lack of information about calories in restaurant meals hurts a lot. No meal should have 1200+ calories.
Scott aka This Daddy commented on Oct 28 11 at 11:15 amI think the ads are GREAT. Something has to work and make people wake up and stop sweeping this under the rug. Some parents and kids dont even know what they eat.
Manjari commented on Oct 28 11 at 12:07 pmUnless Georgia schools are already serving school lunches that are wayyy healthier than the rest of American school lunches, they need to fix that first. Shame doesn’t work as well as actual access to healthy food (and time and space for exercise!).
I really, really hope the ads are aired late at night so children won’t be the ones to see them.
amywindsor commented on Oct 28 11 at 12:12 pm@bob I think all those reasons are definitely at play, but the access to cheap and empty calories is the one factor that can be addressed and treated solely through education. It is a problem that is going to take years to fix, just like it took years to become one.
amywindsor commented on Oct 28 11 at 12:14 pm@manjari I’m not sure when they are airing, but the billboards are there for everyone to see. I’m curious if they used children from another state as the subjects, because it would be really awful for those children at their schools if their classmates saw them in the ads.
Micky commented on Oct 28 11 at 12:46 pmThis campaign is unhelpful fat bashing. I’m with Bob all the way. Maybe it would mean something if bad parenting were really the cause of all of this. But it’s not. Our entire corn-centric, veggie-starved food supply has become an obstacle to public health and our car-focused urban planning has undermined this even furhter. Check out research on food deserts, for example. Simply put, it is way more expensive and difficult to maintain a healthy diet and a reasonable activity level now than it has been at any other time in American history. It is therefore not surprising that the poor have higher rates of obesity and diabetes (nor is it a failure of personal responsibility). This campaign just reinforces the public that it is their fault–which would be way easier than dealing with the actual causes. Using shame and fat bashing to try and solve a systemic problem is awful.
Diana commented on Oct 28 11 at 2:17 pmGet rid of genetically modified organisms (g.m.o’s) and chemically enhanced foods full of filler sprayed with chemicals, rotate the crops instead of raising them in depleted soil with no vitamin/mineral content replenish it ( takes two years to replenish soil , unused unless you add mineral/vitamin rich soil and water), stop feeding our livestock an unnatural diet full of g.m.o corn and feed them mixed grasses if cows and for chickens mixed grasses and grubs etc, pigs will eat anything even rotting carcasses they are vultures etc, Regulate the meals to 3 full meals and 3 snacks and for the last meal eat three hours before bed so 5 o’clock for dinner 7 for a snack and 10 for bed time or whatever your schedule allows ( we are supposed to eat a meal comprised of our palm in thickness and depth and a snack comprised of less then half our palm depending on the snack , any more is full over indulgence) have a nutritional plan for each person (including children) that will benefit there health instead of one shoe fits all, and you will see a dramatic decline in obesity rates. The 9 to 5 job is a lot better then what people in the past had to work before the 1800′s gold rush which included children(and yes women worked back then the woman’s right movement was for equality not a stand against being a stay at home mom ) some worked 15 hours a day or more by candlelight with a pittance in pay so 8 hours of school and 8 hours of work has NOTHING to do with obesity (although 5 hours a day leaves more time to do things) . Our ancestors were opportunist eaters if you look further back in time , eating for less then what we eat today, also they had an organic, all natural diet gathered and prepared by themselves not others unlike us who have convenience and microwaveable meals to sustain us. Enjoy your meal instead of rushing through it.Depending on what you eat 40 chews for meat, 15 for oatmeal 24 for veggies etc each bite with your mouth closed not 2 bites and swallow you will notice you become fuller often times not touching half the plate ( and there is nothing wrong with not eating all of your meal it means you should cook less and serve smaller portions ) .Drink water instead of soda and juice/milk. ( average adult person needs 8 , 8 oz glasses of water a day , you also get liquid from food unless its dehydrated and like a rock. ( calcium is in more then just milk and vitamin d you get naturally from the sun 10 minutes a day does wonders) http://www.healthalternatives2000.com/minerals-nutrition-chart.html , eat when you are hungry rather then when you are board, and do not eat in front of the television. When obesity rates were rapidly rising in the 90′s what changed for that to happen? Were our foods becoming less quality and more quantity? Was it over time from the 70′s and 80′s? A combination of things? I believe a combo of things. Also we are far less active then our ancestors with the convenience of transportation at our fingertips.and for entertainment a t.v. radio or game system. I don’t blame parents for there children being overweight and themselves , I blame society and the lack of quality to sustain us all. and the affordability and convenience to get it.I think its terrible Georgia wants to put blame on the children and there parents and make fun of them in public instead of looking on how they run there state. If they had four major farms in each state 2 to be used to grow produce and livestock and two for rotation not to be used till the other farms soil were depleted we would have a healthier slimmer population. If there were parks ( due to new laws banning adults from parks w/o children due to pedophiles and child kidnappings, i would suggest making an adult park and a child park so childless adults and elderly can get there full exercise as well , now for pet parks how about in the adult parks making a gated space for pets to roam and owners to play with them?) conveniently within reach like one for each block ( maybe 2 blocks apart) children would have room to be healthy and so would there parents and there furry friends. So many things ran through my head i apologize if what i wrote is hard to understand and jumping from one topic to another.
ChiLaura commented on Oct 28 11 at 3:42 pmHow is obesity NOT a failure of personal responsibility? My child (unfortunately) receives breakfast at school — it’s during the school day, it’s city-wide — but that’s the only food that he puts into his mouth that I don’t give him. Yes, I understand that there’s pressure to buy crap, that our kids see crap, that it’s harder to prepare baked chicken breasts than it is to microwave chicken nuggets — but *I* am responsible for what goes into my kids’ bodies. *I* am responsible for their health. There are some people who are truly in need, but I guarantee that 75% of the people on food stamps own iPods, cell phones, and frequent McDonald’s. (I see people buying chips and soda with their food stamps at 7-11 — don’t try to convince me that these people are “truly needy.”) These are the same people who turn the responsibility for feeding their own children over to the government (school breakfast and lunch). No wonder why their kids are fat — why would anyone trust the government to keep their children healthy? As parents, it’s OUR responsibility to feed our children, and to get them outside to exercise. Advertising may not make our job easier, but it’s still our job to do right by our kids.
Re: the ad: I have to wonder, what if the kids were facing away from the camera, so we couldn’t see their faces? Would that make the ads more palatable? It seems that what the ads say are true, if nothing else.
Blue commented on Oct 28 11 at 3:43 pmTotally agree with Little Frogs, Bob, and Andrea. Especially about needing recess–there’s probably a correlation between rising childhood obesity and schools cutting recess. I looked up the recess schedule of my daughter’s future elementary school and was at first pleased to see three recess periods for the K-2 crowd. Then I realized that one of the recesses was 10 min and was supposed to include snacktime; ditto 25 minutes for the next recess plus lunch; and then another 10 minutes. Hardly enough time to make sure everyone gets a turn at the jump rop, if they even let kids do that these days.
Linda, t.o.o. commented on Oct 28 11 at 5:16 pm“Simply put, it is way more expensive and difficult to maintain a healthy diet and a reasonable activity level now than it has been at any other time in American history.” I don’t believe this for a second. If anything, there is more information and more resources available then ever before. Too many adults are obese and inactive and unwilling to change, therefore their children are obese and inactive too.
Anon, the original one commented on Oct 28 11 at 5:44 pmI’ve really given up on caring about what some other kid or family’s state of fitness is. But, I will vote/choose at every chance I get NOT to pay for their healthcare, food assistance, etc.
Strong4Life commented on Oct 28 11 at 7:58 pmOur “Warning” campaign, similar to other public health campaigns, is designed to alert parents about the health crisis and get people talking about the issue. When we surveyed parents of overweight or obese children in Georgia we found that 75 percent did not recognize their child’s obesity or the associated health risks. Our intention with the campaign is to alert—not to offend.
Once we get Georgia’s attention, we will reinforce Strong4Life, a movement that helps empower families to start with simple steps and make small changes at home. http://www.strong4life.com
Kate commented on Oct 28 11 at 10:37 pmFunny how those who proudly proclaim how little they care about their fellow humans betray their shame by posting as “anon.” Congratulations on being a total asshole.
April commented on Oct 28 11 at 10:49 pmI think we need to stress more about letting kids outside to play. I take my kids outside to play everyday but so so many parents I know nowadays never take their kids outside. The most outside they get is from the car to the building. When kids are outside exercise naturally happens through play. Playing is natural for children and fun and educational. I ate actually a lot of junk as a kid. I did not have a great diet. But I was always tiny because I played hard and exercised hard. It is so easy for kids to burn calories because most kids have so much energy. My boys just literally bounce around the house all day long. Put them outside and they start running and wearing themselves out. I am not sure why so many parents won’t take their kids outside. Because they are lazy, because they hate the outdoors themselves, because they are too busy. Whatever the reason I feel that is the route cause. People have always ate badly but only recently have people stopped sending kids outside to play. I see that as the main cause.
christina mom commented on Oct 28 11 at 10:53 pmAgreed 100%=I submit that the biggest problem in addressing childhood obesity is addressing parental obesity. Parents don’t want to correct their children’s eating behaviors because it means correcting their own, or giving up things they want or unhealthy behavior they don’t want to see in themselves. When the parents wake up to their own problems, we’ll start seeing healthier kids.
antistupid commented on Oct 29 11 at 12:53 am@ chilara do u know how ignorant that sounds i’m on food stamps and my family is no where near overweight in fact when i buy food at the 7 11 its for a car trip or a snack wth are you to say its alway the parents there are genetic issues and some disabilities that can cause weight issues …….
antistupid commented on Oct 29 11 at 1:00 amoh as for the school lunch programs my kids are on that too theyre in perfect health doc said my oldest it to tall for her age……
Anon, the original one commented on Oct 29 11 at 6:57 am@Kate “the one and only whose name is soooo not anonymous” OK, I will now go by “Suzie” so I can be less “anonymous” just like you!
Suzie commented on Oct 29 11 at 7:00 amIf people don’t want to or refuse to get it together when it comes to something so basic as their health and so preventable as obesity, throwing money at campaigns is just a hobby for some government employees and PR firms, really, and if they want to do that, great. I used to care. I don’t anymore. It’s a personal choice what you want to shove into your face. If you don’t love your children enough to spare them the health problems and shame of being fat, then I do feel sorry for those children, but there’s not really alot that can be done. We’ve been going round on this topic for close to 20 years now. It’s actually a nice illustration of personal responsibility and how the government can’t really force or control it.
CW commented on Oct 29 11 at 10:38 am“think all those ideas are wonderful, but how are states going to pay for them? I know here, they’re getting ready to axe the entire Basic Health plan in order to try and balance the budget.”
Three words: JUNK FOOD TAX!
Jay commented on Oct 29 11 at 3:33 pmI have fought my weight for about 20 years. Due to health concerns, I have dropped 50 pounds, and I am working on losing the rest.
The best way to fight obesity is to not get fat in the first place. Otherwise, you will probably struggle the rest of your life.
No, we shouldn’t make judge or belittle overweight children, but it is just as damaging to pretend that being overweight is ok. It’s not. It can kill you.
tellingthetruthispatriotic commented on Nov 01 11 at 8:35 pmdoctors are afraid to tell patients they are obese, because of the invisible lawyer in the room. clothing stores sell elephant size clothes so that the lawyer wont sue them for ‘discrimination’. airlines provide whale size belts so that the lawyer wont hound them out of ten years of profits with a single law suit. maybe if you round up and ship these predatory lawyers out to siberia, it will become a healthy country
Content weber commented on Nov 07 11 at 1:39 pmMy niece is 2 years old and 65 pounds. She can hardly walk 20 feet before she crying and winded. She already knows how to get the unhealthy food she craves for example opens refrigerator and cupboards and takes what she wants in the middle of the night. Her parents and grandparents don’t see she is in crisis healthwise. She has had all the appropriate medical testing to explain the weight. Nothing wrong medically so they say she big boned… And will grow out of it… I am concerned for her future.. What can I do?
Virginia T. commented on Jan 02 12 at 11:50 pmUltimately it’s the parents of these children who are to blame. Yes there is a problem with the kind of food available to all of us and the lower the cost of the food is also means the more processed it is and the more salt, sugar, fat and starches. That is why obesity effect the poor more than the affluent, and also why it is costing the state and tax payers more. Poor people can’t afford their own health care costs, they have less money to eat healthily and work longer hours that prevent them from cooking as many meals at home. That being said, without a total reset of our FDA and food industry, those problems will not be fixed. BUT, although it is harder to eat healthily when poor it is not impossible. I think the real problem is that parents don’t want to make changes in themselves to benefit their children, I have yet to see an obese child who didn’t learn their eating habits from their obese mom and dad. Just like so many other topics regarding children, parents want to blame society, the government, the schools, TV and anything but themselves. Wake up parents! You are your child’s primary role model, teacher, care giver and example. Better yourself, be a better person and your child will follow in kind!
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