Anorexia Activism calls for boycott of CVS Pharmacy

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) May 19, 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 country 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 one's weight, size and shape. In the US, conservative estimates indicate that 5-10 million females and 1 million males 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 culture 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 new 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 advertising.



CVS Pharmacy's customer relations department has 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. Further contact from Anorexia Activism has been ignored by CVS Pharmacy's corporate offices.

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