The latest advert by Cancer Research UK has caused quite a stir as there has been a huge backlash against the advert.
The advert has continued to highlight the diametric opposing sides on conversations about if there is a right and wrong way when it comes to talking about obesity.
Twitter user Wrishi Basu said: “#obesity is not always what people choose! It is incredibly difficult to lose weight too. However, there is no reason to pussyfoot around the scientific fact that obesity is a hugely contributing factor for all sort of illness including #cancer! Well done #CancerResearchUK.”
Left, “obesity is a cause of cancer too, weight stigma causes shame not health”
Right “obesity is a cause of cancer to fatphobia ”
middle “anti-fat bias”
Its hard not to agree with the above user. There is massive nutritional inequality and knowledge is saturated, almost like the fat consumed in most foods. There is a plethora of nutritional advice. It increasingly creates decision fatigue and option paralysis when it comes to where we start with very simple nutrition.
Large companies such as Coco-Cola, should be fined for their products which are laced with sugar.
Using Nutella is another product which is an extraordinary 58% sugar and yet it is a staple in some peoples diets, which leads towards higher rates of diabetes and obesity.
Products in a consumer society are disposable, however, our health is not disposable, we have one life. Companies prey upon our weaknesses and they can not get away with any longer.
In some senses, the buck continues to be passed from the consumer when it should be held at the front door of the production from the companies who are feeding nutritional suicide to individuals.
Food is an intrinsic part of peoples lives, providing jobs, nutrition and happiness. Whilst that happiness may work to the enrichment of individuals’ long-term health but also to their short term detriment. Companies must be held to account, even though, in capitalism, it all seems to be about supply and demand.
The consumers are addicts and sugar is one of the most desired on the palette of individuals. I do not believe CancerResearch UK intended to fat shame but as a matter of consequences, it crossed the line.
Obesity is on the rise and the government must do something about it, as well as the individuals who will inevitably suffer. Regardless of what we feel or think the world is changing and CancerResearch UK may be correct.
Healthy choices are far too expensive, and the higher calorie and food saturated with death are far more prolific in the UK. Hold the companies to account and I am sure we will see a decrease in obesity.
