The Latest PETA Fat Shaming Ad
November 6, 2014The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) have released plans for yet another fat shaming ad. Previously, PETA fat shaming ad featured individual affected by obesity on "Save the Whales" billboards. PETA obviously is more concerned about the ethical treatment of animals with no regard to the ethical treatment of human beings.
The latest ad planned for release in the United Kingdom, features a distorted image of a bus which appears to be tilted to one side due to the weight of the passenger seated in the back row. A sign on the back of the bus reads "Time to go vegan?".
PETA attempts to defend their ads by stating going vegan is a healthier option, as red meat contributes to obesity. Liam Cronin, a spokesperson for PETA, claims the ad is not meant to fat shame but is meant to shock people into getting more health conscious about the foods they eat. He claims that vegans are on average 17% slimmer than meat eaters and that a plant-based diet is healthier because it contains less fat and cholesterol.
Fat shaming is not an effective method of getting people to adopt a healthier lifestyle. A recent study conducted by the University College London found that fat shaming does not encourage weight loss and may actually have the opposite effect.
"Our study clearly shows that weight discrimination is part of the obesity problem and not the solution. Weight bias has been documented not only among the general public but also among health professionals; and many obese patients report being treated disrespectfully by doctors because of their weight. Everyone, including doctors, should stop blaming and shaming people for their weight and offer support, and where appropriate, treatment." - Professor Jane Wardle, study author
The study surveyed nearly three thousand British adults over the age of 50 and found that individuals who reported day-to-day weight discrimination gained weight, while those who did not experience discrimination lost weight. While the study is not a scientific conclusion that fat shaming caused the weight gain, the results are eye opening and should at least make defense of public fat shaming like PETA's ads less acceptable.
What do you think about PETA's ads? Tell us in the comments below.
Sources:
Creativity-Online. "PETA Tries Fat-Shaming to Convince People to Go Vegan." 17 October 2014.
Phillips, Abby. "Fat shaming’ doesn’t work, a new study says." 11 September 2014. The Washington Post.
 | ABOUT THE AUTHOR Sarah (aka Sarahlicious) has been an active member of ObesityHelp since 2003. Her specific areas of interests are Lipedema, Lymphedema, Obesity, and Health Insurance advocacy. Sarah writes about her life experiences at Born2lbFat. She is a member of the Board of Directors of both the Obesity Action Coalition and the Lymphedema Advocacy Group. Sarah has a Masters in Health Law.Read more articles by Sarah Bramblette! |
