Group criticizes anti-obesity ads

CINCINNATI (AP) — The group behind an anti-obesity campaign said Tuesday it won’t take down its outdoor advertisements depicting overweight children, despite criticisms that the ads are demeaning.

The ads on billboards and bus shelters show chubby children biting into burgers and fried foods with the question, “Are we feeding our kids to death?” The ads, which run from August to October, are part of a campaign to encourage families to develop healthier eating and exercise habits.

But the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance in California wants the ads taken down, arguing that they unfairly subject fat children to ridicule from others.

“Something like that only gives them more justification to say, ‘See? Your body is bad. You’re ugly. You need to change,’” association spokeswoman Peggy Howell said.