We’ve all heard the statistics about childhood obesity and how the epidemic of overweight children is sweeping our nation. It’s obvious that we have a challenge when it comes to changing our own personal eating habits, and encouraging healthier eating habits for our children and generations to follow. We set the example as mentors for children — and now Disney World is getting in on the action.
A recent Epcot exhibit resulted in some pretty upset people when they portrayed heavier kids in some unappealing and distasteful ways. The interactive exhibit, Habit Heroes, featured animated fitness superheroes, Will Power and Callie Stenics — and super-sized villains — Snacker , The Glutton, and Lead Bottom, who eat junk food and watch too much television (play on names is definitely intentional!).
Critics say the exhibit reinforces stereotypes that obese children are lazy and have poor eating habits. The National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance was especially concerned with how obese children were portrayed by one of America’s most beloved icons of childhood happiness and positive attitudes.
The exhibit has been temporarily closed amidst outcries from critics as Disney creators go back to the drawing board to determine how to turn this message around.
Read more about this story and then let us know what you think.
way to motivate children towards healthier lifestyles? Do we tiptoe around issues more than we should and is this exhibit a good way to get an important message across to kids of all ages? Is this just a case of “the truth hurts” or are these harmful messages that only make overweight children feel worse about themselves, perpetuating their issues?
