Public Health in Oregon - Join The Conversation

First of all, I like that the wording from this ad was pointed out in a previous comment. I also noticed that the word “fat” was used instead of “overweight” or “unhealthy” and it obviously was done so on purpose. This approach to public health education is very blunt, harsh and aggressive and this can be seen both through the images of the commercial (they make you want to look the other way!) as well as the written message. I do think that this ad could be effective overall, although only for certain groups of people. I personally am not a fan of the scare-tactic method in marketing and might have changed the channel if I was watching it at home on the TV. However, this ad does make me think and talk about what I have just seen, so I guess it is successful!

This. Is. Awesome. Definitely made my stomach a little bit upset. But I still think its a really great way to show the excessive weight gain that can be caused by something you don’t always think is that bad for you. I cut out only soda last year for lent and dropped 7 pounds. It’s something that is so readily available that its hard to get away from at times. Through the constant advertisements and sponsorship from the big companies you rarely take a step back to think about the sugar and additives in a can of soda. After watching this I think I may just give it up again.

The video and article both make strong and beneficial arguments against the soda industry. People see this and think, “That’s enough for me, no more pop,” or “That’s alright, I drink diet pop anyway.”
However, what really gets to me is that people tend to forget that diet soda isn’t a great alternative. The artificial sweetener in diet pop such as Aspartame or Splenda can have adverse effects on your health…much more than the regular sugars found in non-diet beverages.
Also, why should we blame individual products when the consumer has so many choices?  Should we blame elevators because we should be walking up steps, or blame TV’s and computers because we and our kids sit in front of them instead of going to outside and getting some exercise? Or how about we blame advertisers because we can’t control what we buy?  Individual and parental responsibility is the answer. But in our society, it’s like waving a bone in front of a pup.

I LOVED this video! I have written countless papers and projects on how awful soda is for your body. It’s not only soda either; it’s all those sugary, syrupy caffeinated beverages. I wish they had included energy drinks in this clip! CEOs of the beverage industry would obviously be opposed to an ad like this, just like AT&T doesn’t like when Verizon markets a commercial that reflects directly negative upon them. Or how much McDonald’s hated the movie “SuperSize me.” That’s the marketing biz, right? If it was false advertisement, they would have a case. Because it is so accurate, they’re angered. The issue of obesity is so huge in the nation, I feel like people have begun to turn a blind eye to it. It’s becoming the norm. Aside from how bad soda and sugary beverages are for your body, another negative affect is that often times thy replaces healthy beverages, such as water and milk. In a study I conducted through an internship last summer, about 70% of children between 12-14 (at two local middle schools) who drank a can of soda a day, reported that they drank LESS than 3 glasses of milk a week. This ad clip is a great eye-opener. Now all we need to do is tax those beverages like we did for cigarettes! Maybe fast food too!

I think that this ad, although not pleasing to the eyes, is a good step in fighting/confronting obesity.  True there are other factors and substances that contribute to obesity, but soda pop is a common substance that many people consume.  So in choosing to target it for this ad I think it was effective in the amount of people it would reach because I’m sure all of us know at least one person that drinks soda pop. Since public health is about better health for communities and larger populations rather than individuals it is important that this ad, and ads like this, reach a large number of people.

I saw this ad in a New York subway car this summer, and it really stuck with me. The in-your-face style will certainly get people thinking about their soda intake, as well as probably curb their habit. The best part is the list of alternatives at the bottom of the ad and at the end of the video: water, milk, and other, healthier beverages need to be promoted in order for this advertisement to be effective. Good job, New York Department of Health!

I did think this ad was effective but I feel that this tactic is a new concept for the US. I was just studying abroad in Melbourne Australia last term and had the chance to see how they communicate health to their citizens. A lot of the commercials on TV and billboards on the side of the road are messages sent through scare tactics. For example, driving on the freeway you may see a huge billboard with a bloody body part stating that this will happen if you don’t slow down. Very graphic, repulsing stuff. I feel that it is very effective and I can certainly see the US headed that way. This ad in particular, about the soda, cuts to the chase about whats actually going inside your body when consumers do not use moderation.

Although disgusting, I really like this ad campaign.  Americans have a huge problem with obesity today and many young people are not being given the information by their parents, to make an informed decision on what they consume each day.  I believe a lot of young people do not even realize how much sugar is in a soda, so this campaign will hopefully at least give them the information to make the decision on their own.

Although this video steps on a lot of toes, specifically the ones from the beverage association, it frankly shows the results of drinking sugary beverages, and ultimately gets its point across. By not having details in the video, the point isn’t missed. It shows the simple principle of reaping what you sow. The video isn’t trying to make anyone feel comfortable, in fact, that is the point. It is a reality check to those who don’t realize or want to realize what soda really does to their bodies. The video uses a scare tactic, which definitely strikes a chord with anyone who watches it, but it could use a little more information. I think they spent too much time grossing the viewer out than making them want to make the switch from soda to water. Especially those who do not drink a can of soda a day. 10 pounds after drinking soda for 365 days? That doesn’t seem to be much to those who drink it less often than that. I think the video should have incorporated another point from soda besides that it makes you fat. Overall, the video did what it accomplished, and made the point that drinking soda is bad for you, and using weight gain as an incentive for soda drinkers to stop.

I think it is a good way to show, the waste that people are putting into their body, but it will be ineffective. People have known that soda is not healthy for years now and still choose to drink it. It is their life and their choice to live the way they want. Obesity is growing at an astounding rate, so it is not as if people cannot see what the consequences to their actions will be first hand. I don’t think you will ever get people to change their lifestyle until either their habits nearly cost them their life, and by then its too late. The only way to truly make them change their lifestyle and think about their future is to change insurance policies so that health problems directly caused by preventable lifestyle choices are not covered. Example lung cancer caused by smoking, or diabetes caused by obesity. It isn’t right for taxpayers to to foot the bill through medicaid or disability payments through medicare because people are to ignorant or selfish to think about their choices.

I like this campaign, because it helps highlight how bad soda actually is for you and make you gain weight. When someone offers you a soda you don’t connect that with something negative. This helps make that association.

I was very surprised to see the content in the video. I can honestly say that it has changed my perspective on drinking soda, as well as others around me. I’m quite sure though that a couple cans of soda every now and then can’t be that bad, just as long as you include the exercise and healthy eating in it as well.

This video is effective because it encourages individuals to change their soda habits, to better the health of society as a whole.  While the video doesn’t mention the health implications of drinking soda, like obesity and chronic diseases, it indirectly serves a solution to these public health concerns.  I can also imagine that the simplicity of the message will make it effective.  If the video had asked people to eat less fast food in general, it would lose a class of people who can only afford fast food.  Soda, on the other hand, can easily be cut out and substituted with water.

There is no denying obesity is a national epidemic.  It’s easy to throw the blame, but when it comes down to it, weight loss involves eating healthy and exercising.  My thought regarding this advertisement is; the money would be better spent in promoting health, by way of parks, jogging trails, or intramural sports….  a way for everyone to have an opportunity to be involved in physical activity.  Just a thought…

I thought it was a good way to show everyone what your putting inside your body and not knowing what can happen. for me it really opened my eyes. I never thought that you could gain 10 pounds by drinking soda every day.

I think the advertisement is effective in sending their message across certain target audiences. I’ve noticed the advertisement uses the word FAT instead of UNHEALTHY when getting the point across. The ad discretely shows disgusting imagery fat consumed through out the video. Anyone who is conscientious of their weight or self image would be drawn to how the ad is presented. However, avid drinkers that are healthy or the economically dependent may be offended on what they drink is portrayed as disgusting and repulsive.

This video does a good job of getting the message out to people about how bad soda can be for them. I know people who drink soda at least once a day and I am sure they would be shocked if they saw this video. I would also like to think that this video would change their habits of drinking soda daily. I think its ok to have a soda here and there but to drink it daily, isn’t a very wise health decision. I would hope this video has the same affects on soda companies as the movie “Super Size Me” had the on the fast food industry. After watching that movie, I didnt eat fast food for months and after watching this video clip, I dont think I will drink pop for a while.

I think the video is a good way to physically show people what is being put into their bodies. Although the video could hurt soda companies, it could potentially help make people question what they eat and drink and be more careful as to what they put in their mouths. However, soda is cheaper than most other higher quality drinks which then leads to people choosing to buy soda over other healthier drinks because they are more affordable. The video should show how other drinks can be better and just as affordable. As a community, people need to look out for one another and public health does that by informing us on how to protect ourselves. Overall, the video makes a good point, that soda is not good for you. It is effective and aimed towards everyone which is great because often time’s ads or campaigns can be targeting only certain groups. Soda is something a lot of people of all ages drink so this video shows us all that what we eat and drink can potentially shorten our lives by making us obese. This then leads to other health problems, so if public health can help prevent this from happening, people can be healthier and stronger. The video in the end is a good start to showing everyone that they can prevent health problems by just making subtle changes in their lives.

I disagree with the “Nanny State” comment… if the Nanny State is taking care of anybody, it would be farmers who get government subsidies for growing corn.  That excess corn crop keeps the price of corn-sugared products (sodas) artificially low… A low-income mom has a “personal responsibilty” to feed her family. Given the costs of soda vs. milk or fresh fruit, it can be a tough choice.