Advertisers for the Children's Healthcare of Atlanta have taken a new approach in their attempts to eliminate childhood obesity: bullying.
Shocking black and white images of overweight children are branded with messages such as “Warning: It’s hard to be a little girl when you’re not” and “Warning: Fat prevention begins at home. And the buffet line.”
Though CHA intends to circulate messages of health, its primary aim was to help parents realize their child’s obesity, the psychological damage that is brought with these advertisements far outweighs any hidden intention.
Children will feel only shame when they view these images that is accompanied by a message that bullying overweight children is acceptable by the media and by society.
Obesity is not healthy, but it is in no way cured by the bullying that is sure to bring about several other negative health affects.
Tell Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta: Stop Bullying Advertisements!
We the undersigned would like to express our concern with the negative advertisements funded by the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.
Though combating childhood obesity is a positive gain for society, using bullying as a tactic to curb obesity only defines fat-shaming as an acceptable social practice.
Children will feel humiliation and bullies justification when they view your advertisements.
Bullying will only further negative health practices in Atlanta.
We ask you to seriously rethink your campaign strategy and eliminate these harmful advertisements from public view.
Thank you for taking our concerns into serious consideration.
