An ad focusing on childhood obesity (which can be found on cnn.com or by clicking the link below) has stirred up a large debate on whether or not the verbiage as well as visuals of the ad are offensive to the children and their parents. The ad was supposed to target the minds of parents in an effort to show them that their children should be healthy, how to clearly see the signs of denial, and that obesity is a true health issue in today's society. The ad was meant to foster change in behaviors and possibly incorporate the culture of eating healthier especially at a young age. However, some feel like the article did far more harm than it did good because it depicted the children in such a negative light that was demeaning and embarrassing as well. Seeing as how the ad is straight forward and illustrates the problem but doesn't quite show any solutions what is your viewpoint does the ad advocate for change in a positive forceful manner and correctly address the problem in a way that parents can understand or does it oppress the children who are classified as being obese and leave room for them to be scrutinized by self and peers for their weight issue?
Monday, February 13, 2012
Childhood Obesity Ad: Uplifting or Oppressive?
by guest blogger M. P.
An ad focusing on childhood obesity (which can be found on cnn.com or by clicking the link below) has stirred up a large debate on whether or not the verbiage as well as visuals of the ad are offensive to the children and their parents. The ad was supposed to target the minds of parents in an effort to show them that their children should be healthy, how to clearly see the signs of denial, and that obesity is a true health issue in today's society. The ad was meant to foster change in behaviors and possibly incorporate the culture of eating healthier especially at a young age. However, some feel like the article did far more harm than it did good because it depicted the children in such a negative light that was demeaning and embarrassing as well. Seeing as how the ad is straight forward and illustrates the problem but doesn't quite show any solutions what is your viewpoint does the ad advocate for change in a positive forceful manner and correctly address the problem in a way that parents can understand or does it oppress the children who are classified as being obese and leave room for them to be scrutinized by self and peers for their weight issue?
An ad focusing on childhood obesity (which can be found on cnn.com or by clicking the link below) has stirred up a large debate on whether or not the verbiage as well as visuals of the ad are offensive to the children and their parents. The ad was supposed to target the minds of parents in an effort to show them that their children should be healthy, how to clearly see the signs of denial, and that obesity is a true health issue in today's society. The ad was meant to foster change in behaviors and possibly incorporate the culture of eating healthier especially at a young age. However, some feel like the article did far more harm than it did good because it depicted the children in such a negative light that was demeaning and embarrassing as well. Seeing as how the ad is straight forward and illustrates the problem but doesn't quite show any solutions what is your viewpoint does the ad advocate for change in a positive forceful manner and correctly address the problem in a way that parents can understand or does it oppress the children who are classified as being obese and leave room for them to be scrutinized by self and peers for their weight issue?
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Personally I believe that these ads are neither oppressive nor uplifting. Childhood obesity is certainly a topic our country cannot ignore. I feel Georgia is right for addressing the issue. I feel that the ads are there to speak to parents and to gain awareness, not to degrade those who are obese. However, at the same time I can understand why some people are getting upset. Some of the phrases used to address the topic are a little extreme. Such as, "Being fat takes the fun out of being a kid". The issue definite has to be addressed but maybe with a better approach.
ReplyDeleteCFlores6
The US has become too nice to children. Everyone gets a trophy just for participating. We've been socialized to externalize blame. (It isn't our fault) I understand that some people are indeed endomorphs. While you cannot change that fact you can control it.
ReplyDeletePart of the problem is also how we define obesity. We define it using the body mass index (BMI) Which is basically weight/height. Average height for men/women is 5'10"/5'4" The end of being healthy are 170lbs/150lbs. I don't find people of that shape overweight nor unhealthy. Especially if they are muscular. BMI is just based on weight. Most of that weight could be muscle and not fat. The BMI is a terrible scale to use. We need one that is based on when negative health effects begin.
The problem of obesity is twofold, we aren't willing to be mean to our children (no you can't do anything when you grow up) and we need a better scale for obesity.
The advertising appears to only highlight the truth about childhood obesity and being healthy, in order, to help prevent medical issues caused by childhood obesity. Health seems to be the main focus and not that a child should be skinny, therefore, the advertising doesn't seem to be offensive.
ReplyDeleteIf a child has a medical condition that causes obesity, then it may be offensive since that child has no control over the weight he/she might way.
As mention in the video, controversy grabs the attention and gets people talking more than positive advertising-sad, but true.
The fact is that not offending any person is virtually impossible, but making sure the message being sent is interpreted right is an even harder task. So, I ask could there be or should there be an mandatory outline enforced for advertising, in attempts, to ensure all advertising has minimal risk to offend?