Submitted
by TEPF Volunteer
I
recently saw an anti-obesity advertisement. The storyline is about an
overweight mother who brings her 6 years old ‘chubby’ daughter for grocery
shopping. The mother fills her cart with foods such as chips, soda, fries and
other junk foods, and this was followed exactly by her daughter who is also
wheeling her own smaller cart. At the
end of the ad, the message stated that parents should set a better example to
the kids. This ad created a lot of critique as well as praise because it is
meant to be educational and but increases embarrassment and shame for those who
are obese or overweight.
 |
| Media plays a huge role in creating our view of an "ideal body." |
I
believe that this ad aims to reach the parents as their target audience.
However, kids watching the ad may easily interpret the ad in a very simple and
superficial perspective that individuals who are overweight do not care about
setting a good example on healthy eating.
And again, they also can get a wrong idea that an overweight mom just
does not know about eating healthily.
Generally
speaking, I think this ad is suitable and educational for some parents who do
not understand nutrition. I think that the message is achieved as this ad tries
to insert the feeling of responsibility into parents on how they can help raise
healthy children. However, we need to
deeply think about the possible consequences of this ad. Our society looks down
upon individuals who are overweight which can have consequences on those
individual’s mental health. Eating
disorders can start as individuals become insecure and have poor body
image. It is crucial that media starts
to consider the appropriateness of their messages. Media needs to be socially responsible.
No comments:
Post a Comment