Comments on: ‘Obesity Is Suicide’ Ad Campaign

By: Raven

Raven — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 08:48:45 +0000

Honestly, I think the ads are quite good. It's true that our society has a problem with overindulgence! I personally struggle with overindulgence [and not merely in the form of food]. I am, however, completely against the idea of unnecessary surgery when exercising, eating well, and having friends to keep you accountable are a better way of doing things.

Eating unhealthily will cause an array of problems, including a shorter lifespan and a poorer quality of life. Mr. Knowlden's ads are telling us bluntly telling us that our overindulgent food choices are killing us. Hippocrates said, "let food be your medicine and medicine be your food". We need to be aware that every choice we make, every food we put in our mouth is physically shaping the person we are becoming. Maybe these ads are creating awareness in a good way?

By: Juliana

Juliana — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 11:57:04 +0000

I have to admit, the ads they are pretty good, maybe that's why they provoke such a reaction. Although, shouldn't the people in the photograph actually be obese? The lady with the sweets looked pretty normal to me.

As for Dr Peters, his website says he sued the guy to have his name removed from the ad as apparently he did not commission it.

By: iportion

iportion — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 06:10:55 +0000

It’s a shameful advertising campaign.

By: Alan Free

Alan Free — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 04:46:12 +0000

I followed the link to art director Brandon Knowlden’s portfolio. He’s showing off at least two other “suicide” ads from the campaign. Scare tactics is right. One of the ads shows a person hanging himself (using sausage instead of a rope); another shows a person planning a suicide bombing. All very clever. But it’s one of the most manipulative, deceitful advertising campaigns I’ve seen in a long time. Shame on Mr. Knowlden for using his talent in this way. As for Dr. Peters, the surgeon behind the ads. Well, what can you say — it’s great to live in America, right doc?

By: Harl Delos

Harl Delos — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 21:01:23 +0000

That 1-in-200 number is how many die ON THE TABLE.

I had bariatric surgery in 1979, which was reversed in 1986. Among the papers my surgeon demanded I read before he performed the surgery (he quizzed me on what they said!) was one that patients who survive the surgery die, on average, 17 years later.

That scientific paper pointed out that kids diagnosed with pediatric diabetes have the same 17 years after diagnosis to live, and suggested that the cause might be the same: malnutrition.

Without the surgery, the patients live an average 28 years.

No matter. I was sure I'd rather have 17 good years than 28 bad ones. Stupid, stupid, stupid. We get too soon old, and too late smart.