Stephanie Gans, who blogs over at Endless Simmer, sent me this picture of a Bed Bath and Beyond holiday catalog. Click on it to see its astounding bulimia-inducing message in a larger size. Part of Gansie's ad analysis is below; check her blog to read the rest.
"Bottom Right / Bodyfat Scale
I shit you not. A scale on the cover is bad enough, but inside it is literally labeled: Bodyfat Scale. And, of course, there is a delicate,
white woman weighing herself and the machine screams out “UH-OH.” Yes,
that is the EXACT message we should send this holiday season. EAT AND
EAT AND EAT and BUY the BIGGEST serving platters you can find and won’t
ever need again (perfect for this economy!) and then after you’ve
rightly enjoyed the holiday season with friends, family and food, you—a
woman—should definitely feel bad about yourself and immediately weigh yourself.
Is this why America is so fat? Where is the moderation? Where are the people eating responsibly? No, it’s just massive amounts of food and then shameful, fatty guilt. Binge eating. Bring on the scale. Repeat.
Happy Holidays, from your neighborhood Bed, Bath & Binge."