Anorexia Activism Calls For Nationwide Boycott of CVS Pharmacy

Anorexia Activism has called for a nationwide boycott of CVS Pharmacy due to an offensive and harmful advertisement depicting a woman photographing herself making scolding faces and holding signs, including a sign that says "Oink" and one with a picture of a pig, all to make her spouse feel badly enough about himself to avoid eating anything in the refrigerator where her photos are posted.

(PRWEB) May 14, 2004 -- Anorexia Activism, after viewing a recent CVS Pharmacy advertisement, has called for a total boycott of CVS Pharmacy until they agree to adopt responsible advertising practices.

In this advertisement, a woman is shown photographing herself making scolding faces and holding up signs, including a sign that says oink and one showing a pig, all to place throughout the refrigerator to shame her spouse into not eating.

In a culture where thinness is more valuable than intellectual ability, where body dissatisfaction, weight concerns, and unhealthy dieting behaviors are pervasive, such advertisements can contribute to a dangerous preoccupation with controlling weight, size and shape. In the US, conservative estimates indicate that 5-10 million girls and women and 1 million boys and men are currently struggling with life-threatening eating disorders. Furthermore, Anorexia, one of the three most prevalent eating disorders, has the highest premature mortality rate of any psychiatric disorder. Eating disorders are killing people. And, pressures from the media CAN and DO contribute to a climate that encourages dieting and disordered eating.

Anorexia Activism was created after founder and director Amy T. Guth won her own battle with Anorexia Nervosa. The organization has since created a Media Eyes program to urge companies and advertisers to understand that their messages are harmful to the mental and physical health of the public. A newer feature of the Media Eyes program is the Anorexia Activism Seal of Approval, thanking companies for responsible advertising.

Other major eating disorder advocacy organizations have been alerted and are prepared for CVS Pharmacy's negative and harmful advertisement. It is the hope of Anorexia Activism that CVS will adopt responsible policies in their advertising. Additionally, all subscribers, nationwide, of Anorexia Activism's newsletter have been informed and urged to boycott CVS Pharmacy until they pull this dangerous advertising campaign and implement socially responsible advertisments.

A petition was created by Ms. Guth, and has begun to circulate. the petition can be viewed at www.petitiononline.com/ED911001/petition.html and will continue to circulate as necessary. CVS Pharmacy's customer relations have briefly informed Anorexia Activism that this message has been forwarded to the CVS Advertising Department and this issue will be addressed at their next meeting.

Amy T. Guth, Founder & Dir.         
Anorexia Activism
PO Box 2793
Santa Fe, NM 87504
(505) 720-9100
www.anorexiaactivism.bravehost.com
anorexiafundraiserevents@yahoo.com
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