Georgia Billboard Campaign - Helpful or Hurtful? You Decide.

The OAC has been alerted to an issue in the state of Georgia regarding an alliance, titled the Georgia Children's Health Alliance, that is using an unusual tactic with billboards to raise awareness of childhood obesity. We've been contacted by OAC members who feel the Alliance's tactics are stigmatizing and are hurting children by bullying them more than helping them.

To view the imagery used in the billboards, click here.

***OAC RESPONDS***
UPDATE 1/18/12: OAC responds to the GCHA campaign in the media. For more details, click the below links:

Judith Regan Show (large audio file)
New York Times
Shine from YAHOO!

UPDATE 3/7/11: The OAC has issued a statement to Ron Frieson, Chairman of the Georgia Children's Health Alliance, sharing the views of our membership. Many of you have shared your views regarding this issue and we thank you for expressing your thoughts. At this time, we ask all of you to respond directly to Mr. Frieson by emailing info@thegcha.org. To view the OAC's letter, please click here. To view comments from our members, click here.

Poll Results as of 1/18/12
Total Participants: 1,010

Results:

Does this campaign help or hurt children affected by obesity?
81% feel the campaign hurts children affected by obesity.
19% feel the campaign helps children affected by obesity.

Are the billboards or the campaign offensive?
82% Yes
18% No