Close X
Monday, November 25, 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

    B.C. Study Finds Making Methadone Accessible Slashes HIV Transmission

    B.C. Study Finds Making Methadone Accessible Slashes HIV Transmission
    Increasing access to methadone treatment through primary-care doctors and pharmacies significantly cuts the spread of HIV, according to research involving Vancouver residents addicted to opioids.

    B.C. Study Finds Making Methadone Accessible Slashes HIV Transmission

    Rising Diabetes, Obesity Rates Putting Ethnic Groups' Heart Health At Risk: Study

    Rising Diabetes, Obesity Rates Putting Ethnic Groups' Heart Health At Risk: Study
    An Ontario study determined that from 2001 to 2012, diabetes rates more than doubled among South Asian men and almost doubled among black women.

    Rising Diabetes, Obesity Rates Putting Ethnic Groups' Heart Health At Risk: Study

    Gender Disparity Persists In Life Expectancy Of Canadians Living With HIV: Study

    Gender Disparity Persists In Life Expectancy Of Canadians Living With HIV: Study
    VANCOUVER — A new study has found that Canadians diagnosed with HIV are living longer than ever, but continued inequalities in life expectancy across the country have one researcher calling for a national HIV/AIDS strategy.

    Gender Disparity Persists In Life Expectancy Of Canadians Living With HIV: Study

    Eat Spicy Food Daily To Lower Death Risk

    Eat Spicy Food Daily To Lower Death Risk
    Include more fresh and dried chilli pepper in your diet as eating spicy foods daily has now been linked to a lower risk of death from cancer, heart and lung diseases and diabetes.

    Eat Spicy Food Daily To Lower Death Risk

    After Yoga, Climb A Tree To Boost Your Memory

    You may have attempted this during childhood but climbing a tree and balancing on a beam along with yoga exercises can dramatically improve cognitive skills in adults too, researchers at the University of North Florida have found.

    After Yoga, Climb A Tree To Boost Your Memory

    'Health Is More Than Body Size'; Don't Use Scale To Measure Health, Experts Say

    'Health Is More Than Body Size'; Don't Use Scale To Measure Health, Experts Say
    TORONTO — Erica Schenk has been a runner for 10 years, but a single snapshot of the curvy athlete may represent her most significant strides yet.

    'Health Is More Than Body Size'; Don't Use Scale To Measure Health, Experts Say