A video advertising a Thurgau online gym sparked outrage. Now eating disorders are getting worse.
in short needed
- A Thurgau online gym is accused of manipulation and sexism.
- A Nau.ch reader therefore addressed the Thurgau company directly.
- His response was “as discriminatory as the advertisement”.
They really want to help women lose weight. But a Thurgau fitness consulting company is heavily criticized for its YouTube videos. Allegations: Sexism and manipulation.
Video Says: For women, the worst thing is what others think of them when they gain weight.
The experts were surprised. “This message is incredibly problematic,” said nutrition psychologist Rhonia Sifton.
After Nau.ch reported about it last week, another reader complained about the company.
KT* was “through videos like this, into an eating disorder, as a teenager,” as she tells Nau.ch. So he wrote to the company about his ad on Instagram. Online gyms’ answer is “as discriminatory as advertising,” K.
For Companies, It’s “Just” Advertising
Chat History is available for Nau.ch. Of. The company pointed out that their advertising “doesn’t fit the healthy self-image of teens and young women”. At the same time, she stresses that she herself still has a difficult relationship with food.
But the company downplays eating disorders. K’s bold answer: “Criticism always says more about yourself than that of others.”
Even more deadly: Jim advises K. to “fix things with yourself” if you’re “triggered” by the ad. Because: “It’s just advertising – nothing more and nothing less.”
Nau.ch faces “fit on time” with new allegations. Co-founder Philippe Mursik justifies himself. You “treat all fellow human beings with great respect – regardless of their gender”.
And further: “We don’t understand why the focus of an offer on a female customer should be misplaced,” says Mursik.
Open to better advertising strategy
They know that “eating disorders are a complex phenomenon with both physical and psychological causes,” Mursik says. Working on eating disorders is part of his coaching, he insists.
Then Mursik stands in the way – and K. who is affected by eating disorders because of the way she expresses her “subjective state of mind”.
It was already clear to nutrition psychologist Ronia Sifton: “Such a video is not good for anyone.” This is already dangerous for people with physical insecurities. “Video can be a trigger for people with eating disorders.”
Should diet advertising be banned?
*Names known to editors
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