Disney+ Ad for Weight loss Drug Sparks Concern About Messaging to children
A new advertisement for a GLP-1 weight loss medication, appearing during programming on disney+, is raising concerns among experts about the potential impact of weight-loss focused messaging on children. The ad, for a drug like Wegovy or Mounjaro, depicts individuals achieving weight loss and enjoying activities, prompting discussions about the appropriateness of marketing these medications-and the underlying message about body size-to young audiences.
The prevalence of diet culture and weight stigma is already a notable issue,notably for young people,experts say. Mallary Tenore Tarpley, journalism professor at the University of Texas at Austin and author of SLIP: Life in the Middle of Eating Disorder Recovery, emphasizes the importance of counteracting harmful messages. “I talk with my children about diet culture in simple terms, by referring to it as a set of messages that will try to make them believe that thin bodies are ‘good’ and fat bodies are ‘bad,'” Tarpley writes. “I tell them that this isn’t true, and I repeat a refrain that I’ve said aloud for many years: ’All bodies are worthy of respect, no matter how short or tall, no matter how big or small.'”
The concern isn’t necessarily about the medications themselves, but rather the reinforcement of societal pressures to conform to specific body types. Experts note that pervasive weight stigma can contribute to body dysmorphia and eating disorders, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community. A recent USA Today report highlighted how LGBTQ+ individuals frequently enough experience heightened rates of these struggles, ofen as a form of overcompensation.
While unconditional body love may be a tough goal given the constant exposure to fatphobic messaging, advocates stress the need to teach children that their worth is autonomous of their weight. Helping kids recognize and critically analyze weight loss advertising is crucial, particularly as these ads become more visible. “Against the backdrop of advertisements that try to downsize us, we need to help kids realize that it’s OK to take up space,” Tarpley argues.
Resources are available for individuals struggling with body image or eating concerns:
* The National Alliance for Eating Disorders: Clinician-run helpline at (866) 662-1235, available 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. EST.
* Crisis Text Line: Text “ALLIANCE” to 741741 for free, 24/7 support.