Welcome to my blog

Here begins the chronicles of my journey through a masters degree in Health Education and Active Living. A testament to my own pursuits of health and wellness and my endeavors to engage individuals and communities in re-framing the way we understand health and health education.

And then sometimes life takes you on a very different course of events!

I know it's been awhile, but my blogging was interrupted by a move across the world to Australia. Despite being more than a little disruptive to my career, schooling, and view of health; my move down under has provided me with an abundance of new challenges and exciting journeys in Health, Health Education, & Public Health. So on that note, I'll pick back up my blogging torch and fuel on.

Wednesday, 6 June 2012

Concern over the Concerned

image from:http://socialglare11.livejournal.com/282358.html

A new ad has been put out by the Concerned Children's Advertisers called Media Monkey. The premise of this PSA is to tell children that they can make up their own minds regarding advertiser's messages regarding weight and body image. The add portrays monkeys censoring print, on line, and television messages; telling the viewer "you don't need a monkey on your back to make healthy choices, think for your self".

Well actually, according to the U.N., a vast body of research, and the millions of marketing dollars food companies spend on marketing to children, clearly the message of "think for yourself" is not developmentally appropriate for children as making healthy choices is confusing even for educated adults, let alone children and teens.

I find this ad appalling. It really speaks to the need of our government to set greater controls on the marketing of food to children. Yes we can educate and help children to make better choices, but how can poorly funded public education and health compete against the billion dollar food industry without support  and controls on advertisers. Concerned Children's Advertisers, you have my concern.

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