Diabetes Advocates Criticize Obesity Ads
The First 5 California Children and Families Commission -- which administers proceeds of a state tax to fund children's health care and education programs -- will replace television advertisements about childhood obesity after receiving criticism from parents of diabetic children, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
In the $11.4-million ad campaign, children ask for grease and sugar, and for their father to "buy me some diabetes." The ads state that poor eating habits can lead to diabetes, which the ads say can shorten children's lives by 26 years.
Parents criticized the ads because they said the ads do not distinguish between type 1 diabetes, which might not be related to diet or obesity, and type 2 diabetes, which typically is diagnosed in overweight people.
First 5 spokesperson Elisa Bupara said the ads will be replaced with revised versions that distinguish between the two types of diabetes. The new ads will cost $15,000 to $20,000. The first revised ad will air on Thursday (Russell, San Francisco Chronicle, 3/16).