Close X
Thursday, November 14, 2024
ADVT 
Health

Are Plus-Sized Models In Ads Prompting Obesity?

Darpan News Desk IANS, 10 Dec, 2015 11:42 AM
    The increasing use of plus-sized models in advertising campaigns is contributing to growing rates of obesity, a new study from Beedie School of Business in Canada has claimed.
     
    The researchers found that as advertising campaigns increasingly use fewer images of models that are underweight and aesthetically flawless, the tactic can have a detrimental effect on the public's lifestyle and eating behaviour.
     
    "This study demonstrates that accepting larger bodies is associated with negative consequences, research also shows that 'fat-shaming' -- or stigmatising such bodies -- fails to improve motivation to lose weight," said study co-author Brent McFerran.
     
    The researchers conducted five experiments to see how subjects would react to cues suggesting that obesity was acceptable.
     
    In each instance the subjects displayed a greater actual consumption of unhealthy food and a reduced motivation to engage in a healthier lifestyle, driven by an increased belief that obesity was more socially acceptable.
     
     
    The study's authors posit that efforts to increase acceptance are resulting in increasing the amount of thought consumers put into their appearance and heightening body anxiety.
     
    "Neither accepting nor stigmatising larger bodies achieves the desired results, it would be beneficial for marketers to instead find a middle ground - using images of people with a healthy weight, and more importantly, refraining from drawing attention to the body size issue entirely," McFerran added.
     
    The study was published by the American Marketing Association's Journal of Public Policy and Marketing.

    MORE Health ARTICLES

    Weight-loss Surgery Boosts Sex Life Too

    Weight-loss Surgery Boosts Sex Life Too
    The popular weight-loss surgery not only makes you look fit and healthy but can also bring spark back in your bedroom life, reveals a study.

    Weight-loss Surgery Boosts Sex Life Too

    How To Combat Your Hangover The Natural Way

    How To Combat Your Hangover The Natural Way
    Eat ginger and stay hydrated to get over your hangover naturally. Nutritionist Jacquie Newson doles out tips on how one can remain fine after a few drinks.

    How To Combat Your Hangover The Natural Way

    Here's How To Live Longer Without Cutting Calorie Intake

    Here's How To Live Longer Without Cutting Calorie Intake
    You may get a long and healthy life simply by balancing your protein and carbohydrate intake, without drastically cutting down your calorie intake.

    Here's How To Live Longer Without Cutting Calorie Intake

    Cancer Cases To Rise 40% By 2030; Aging Population Fuel Increase: Report

    Cancer Cases To Rise 40% By 2030; Aging Population Fuel Increase: Report
    TORONTO — The annual number of new cancer diagnoses in Canada will increase by 40 per cent by 2030, the Canadian Cancer Society predicted in a report released Wednesday.

    Cancer Cases To Rise 40% By 2030; Aging Population Fuel Increase: Report

    Indian-Origin Scientist Latha Venkataraman Creates First Single-Molecule Device

    Indian-Origin Scientist Latha Venkataraman Creates First Single-Molecule Device
    A team of Columbia Engineering researchers led by an Indian-American scientist Latha Venkataraman has created a single-molecule electronic device which has a potential of real-world technological applications for nanoscale devices.

    Indian-Origin Scientist Latha Venkataraman Creates First Single-Molecule Device

    Indo-Canadian Researcher Mick Bhatia And Team Discover How To Turn Blood Into Nerve Cells

    Indo-Canadian Researcher Mick Bhatia And Team Discover How To Turn Blood Into Nerve Cells
    TORONTO — Canadian scientists have discovered how to turn a simple blood sample into a variety of nerve cells, including those that are responsible for pain, numbness and other sensations.

    Indo-Canadian Researcher Mick Bhatia And Team Discover How To Turn Blood Into Nerve Cells