Hard-hitting ads showing the damaging impact of toxic fat on the body are now on our screens and radios, spearheading a new campaign to address the obesity epidemic in South Australia.
The ads take people inside their own bodies and shows the toxic build-up of visceral fat on internal organs due to obesity, particularly when caused by an unhealthy diet. The images are from real footage taken during medical procedures in Australia.
The LiveLighter campaign comes as the latest data from Preventive Health SA reveals 66 per cent of South Australian adults and 37.1 per cent of children are overweight or living with obesity.
Obesity puts people at greater risk of many diseases and health problems, including heart disease, cancer, and type 2 diabetes. South Australia has the nation’s highest rate of diabetes.
The LiveLighter campaign is part of a collaboration on obesity prevention including Preventive Health SA, Cancer Council SA and the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI).
The ads will run on TV, radio, billboards and social media, aiming to increase
awareness of the impact of toxic fat and prompt South Australians to eat well and increase physical activity to improve their health.
The strategy adopts parts of the proven evidence-based LiveLighter public health campaign which has been successfully running in Western Australia for more than a decade and has also run in ACT and Victoria.
The toxic fat ads will direct South Australians to the LiveLighter website which contains information and tools to support eating well and being more active, such as healthy recipes, meal planners and workout builders.
Preventive Health SA Chief Executive Marina Bowshall said that positive results of the campaign interstate were proven.
"We know that people who see the ads are more aware of the serious health consequences of obesity," Ms Bowshall said.
"We want this campaign to kickstart a conversation about obesity and spark action here in South Australia. For individuals, taking even a small step towards eating well and moving your body more can make a big difference to your health."
Cancer Council SA Senior Manager Prevention Christine Morris said: “There is strong evidence that shows living with obesity increases the risk of 13 types of cancer, particularly bowel cancer."
"It’s so important to raise awareness, alert the community to the impacts of rising rates of obesity and chronic illness, and trigger community-wide action on tackling obesity."
SAHMRI Health Policy Centre Director Professor Caroline Miller said the ads were deliberately confronting.
"Graphic campaigns like this have been proven to change behaviour," Professor Miller said.
"Just like with smoking and drink driving, we need strong, clear messages to shift public perception and spark positive action."
More information and resources can be found on the LiveLighter website (external site).
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