Removal of triggering and dangerous Food Standards Scotland campaign
The Issue
OPEN LETTER TO FOOD STANDARDS SCOTLAND
Recently, a new campaign has been launched to promote 'healthy eating.' The problem is, it is one sided and doesn't address the wider problems. I believe it to be dangerous and triggering and I outline my reasons below.
1. The campaign promotes this idea of unhealthy snacking and shoes pictures of foods such as cookies and crisps and asks for them to be 'dropprd' and 'swapped' with a healthier alternative. The numbers of young people, including children (who are shown in adverts holding the food) suffering from eating disorders is rising year on year and this campaign will encourage the dropping of food. Straight into the bin. It causes the feeling of guilt and provides false information that the occasional treat can cause real harm.
2. The children used in the adverts look perfectly healthy. This might make other children worry if they might have a problem with their weight because they look simular or indeed occasionally have a snack. The issue is with this idea of 'danger foods.' The advert promotes cutting out sweet things and this is exactly how many eating disorders begin. Dropping unhealthy foods completely and slowly seeing more and more foods as danger foods which can't be eaten. The rule should be everything in moderation.
3. The advert is aimed at the obesity problem. I am not naïve and I know this exists. However, could we not campaign for healthy eating for all? This means a balanced diet that includes the occasional snack and shoes the correct amount to eat. Not too much but not too little and definitely not excluding foods from your diet. Furthermore, there is an emotional element tied to many people's eating habits and this is totally disregarding for the sake of a bolder campaign which in truth is dangerous.
I would like to see an immediate and thorough remodelling of this campaign. As a former eating disorder sufferer I understand the pain adverts like this can cause. I would be happy to help a new campaign that promotes a healthier outlook for all.
We cannot stand back and allow triggering campaigns to exist. I am so disappointed that as numbers of sufferers of eating disorders from all backgrounds and all ages and all genders, continue to rise, the campaigns regarding 'healthy eating' are not altering at all. There is a way that this can be advertised without the potential harm and I would like to see this implemented.
Kind Regards,
Rebecca Scott
Petition Closed
The Issue
OPEN LETTER TO FOOD STANDARDS SCOTLAND
Recently, a new campaign has been launched to promote 'healthy eating.' The problem is, it is one sided and doesn't address the wider problems. I believe it to be dangerous and triggering and I outline my reasons below.
1. The campaign promotes this idea of unhealthy snacking and shoes pictures of foods such as cookies and crisps and asks for them to be 'dropprd' and 'swapped' with a healthier alternative. The numbers of young people, including children (who are shown in adverts holding the food) suffering from eating disorders is rising year on year and this campaign will encourage the dropping of food. Straight into the bin. It causes the feeling of guilt and provides false information that the occasional treat can cause real harm.
2. The children used in the adverts look perfectly healthy. This might make other children worry if they might have a problem with their weight because they look simular or indeed occasionally have a snack. The issue is with this idea of 'danger foods.' The advert promotes cutting out sweet things and this is exactly how many eating disorders begin. Dropping unhealthy foods completely and slowly seeing more and more foods as danger foods which can't be eaten. The rule should be everything in moderation.
3. The advert is aimed at the obesity problem. I am not naïve and I know this exists. However, could we not campaign for healthy eating for all? This means a balanced diet that includes the occasional snack and shoes the correct amount to eat. Not too much but not too little and definitely not excluding foods from your diet. Furthermore, there is an emotional element tied to many people's eating habits and this is totally disregarding for the sake of a bolder campaign which in truth is dangerous.
I would like to see an immediate and thorough remodelling of this campaign. As a former eating disorder sufferer I understand the pain adverts like this can cause. I would be happy to help a new campaign that promotes a healthier outlook for all.
We cannot stand back and allow triggering campaigns to exist. I am so disappointed that as numbers of sufferers of eating disorders from all backgrounds and all ages and all genders, continue to rise, the campaigns regarding 'healthy eating' are not altering at all. There is a way that this can be advertised without the potential harm and I would like to see this implemented.
Kind Regards,
Rebecca Scott
The Decision Makers
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Petition created on 17 September 2016