The Chicago Tribune’s Feb 29th headline read:
“Disney closes new Habit Heroes exhibit after criticism for stigmatizing fat kids.”
I have so many mixed feelings about this announcement. I want to share with readers both sides of the argument, and ask for your feedback. Obviously this is a sensitive topic. In this blog, I encourage healthy habits. Does this exhibit cross a line? You be the judge.
Let me first provide the details…
Disney partnered with Blue Cross/Blue Shield to create a park attraction, and on-line game about healthy living called “Habit Heroes.”
Spokesman for Blue Cross and Blue Shield John W. Herbkersman states:
“Our Goal is to ensure that the attraction conveys a positive message about healthy lifestyles in a fun and empowering way.”
The Chicago Tribune reports, insurance officials state:
“The insurance company’s goal is to encourage healthier habits among kids, so they will improve their health while lowering health-care costs.”
Me and my friend Meg in Disneyland
“Habit Heroes” Attraction:
Animated fitness centered characters named “Will Power” and “Callie Stenics” took groups of 12 guest through interactions where guests had to fight bad habits. These bad habit villains were given Disney names and cartoon looks:
- “The Glutton”: an over eater that ate too fast
- “Snacker”: a super-sized character that ate a lot of processed fatty foods
- “Lead Bottom”: a bulbous character that didn’t exercise enough
- “Stinkbomb”: a character with poor hygiene
- “The Fungus”: one that ate expired or rotten foods
- “Stress Case”: one that is always stressed out
- “Prescriptor”: a character that ignores doctors advice
- “Cereal Killer”: a character that didn’t have time to eat breakfast
Critics:
- Make healthy foods “fun foods” at parks. (Don’t let sugary snacks have all the fun) Fruits and veggies should be displayed in a way that is enticing to kids.
- Make healthy foods available and affordable in parks.
- Increase the number of restaurants with locally grown foods in parks.
- Collaborate with healthy living efforts going on within health care systems. Utilize pediatricians, fitness specialists, child life specialists, nurses, and dietitians. They are great resources for creating education based programs for kids and families, and know what works and doesn’t.
- Community outreach in schools. “Heroes on the Road” could take more sensitive health messages to kids in a setting like their schools. Places of learning are better places to bring up certain health topics than at Disney Parks. (In the hospital, we know that having a designated room for procedures helps kids feel safe in their own hospital rooms.) Parks should be a safe places for play. Learning sensitive often touchy subjects should be reserved for places of learning.
- Disney Park characters should continue to lead by example. (Show characters being active and eating well VS. plastering their faces on all high sugar, high carb, high fat food packages.)
In health,
