Everyone knows that obesity is a problem in America, thanks in large part to the Public Service Announcements plastered around cities and televisions. When California decided to create such an advertisement for kids, they digitally altered a child model to appear much heavier and unhealthier than she actually was. People were offended.
According to ABC News, the advertisement, created by First 5 California, featured an overweight girl splurging on a sugar packet through a straw. However, the original image of the child showed a much healthier girl downing a carton of milk. In each picture, the child model is smiling brightly.
Leading the charge of offense is Marilyn Wann, author and body image acceptance advocate. The Daily Mail reports that Wann took to Facebook to express her discomfort with the ad. In a June 4th status update, she said, "How creepy is it to Photoshop this child in this manner? If public health messages lie like this, why should people trust them?"
The verdict is still out on whether such advertisements have an impact on obesity rates. Do you think they crossed a line or should more be done in the face of the obesity epidemic?