“Let’s talk about obesity. Let’s talk without filters”

It is the message that the pharmeceutics is moving over the last days Novo nordisk, manufacturer of the medication against obesity and diabetes Ozempicthrough an advertising campaign. In it states that “Obesity is a disease” and “Obesity can kill”, Messages that, both in their content and in their form, have generated controversy and conversation among citizens.

Crowd of marquesinas in the center of Madrid have shown the claims. With aesthetically minimalist graphs, starring mainly for Copy, the company states: “Obesity is a health problem, not aesthetics. And it continues to expand while we discuss how to talk about it“; and “More than 4 million people die every year for obesity. And it continues to expand while we discuss how to talk about it”

Both pieces are headed by the phrase “Content without filters. This content is extremely delicate and can hurt sensibilities”. In the lower part they include the novo Nordisk logo, as well as that of different institutions and organizations that support the message, as a Spanish society for the study of obesity (SEEDO), Spanish Society of General and Family Physicians (SEMG) or National Association of people living with obesity (ANPO).

On the initiative website, Novo Nordisk expands its speech. Points out that the conversation about Obesity is loaded with filters That, not to hurt sensibilities, they offer a distorted reality that moves people away from making accurate health decisions. “It is necessary to eliminate these filters because obesity does not need protection, it needs truth and that evidence -based knowledge is generated to act in front of it”, Says the company.

It also points out that, in addition to the organizations that support the campaign, no one like Novo Nordisk, “a company committed to its prevention, treatments and social awareness research, to sensitize the importance of breaking this dynamic”Explain that the platform Obesity without filters It seeks to generate social knowledge and evolve the conversation in a brave and without filters.

“We know that talking without obesity filters is not easy, but it is worth doing. The solution in front of it, as in the face of any other chronic disease, is medical attention. Have you thought about taking the step and talking to a specialist?”, Concludes the manifesto.

The external advertising campaign is accompanied by a audiovisual piece Shared on social networks. It simulates a contest in which the presenter questions the contestant about obesity. To the question what increases with obesity she answers with “the ability to self -accept”, and the presenter adds that he also increases heart risk. “To the question, is talking about obesity of …?”, She responds “diversity” and “health.” The contestant reflects on “not being able to play with my children”, “feeling as in front of others” and ends up pointing out that “obesity is a disease.”

Criticism and Body-Positive Debate

In social networks, the campaign has reaped opinions found, although most criticize the company’s message. They consider it “awful“,”perverse“, of “Bad taste”, And especially they point out that there is a commercial intention by Novo Nordisk to promote his product against obesity.

The campaign has revived the debate around the social perception of obesity, the movements against the Gordophobia and Body Positivity. “The campaign is an indecency: use the antiwake style of “We are going to talk about this problem that Woke calls respect for the body of others”; Take out a young woman, her target, and all with the excuse of fighting obesity disease, because advertising addressed to the general public of recipe medications is prohibited”, Says a user through Bluesky.

“How disgust I just felt as a doctor for the fat announcement that I have seen in four, sponsored by several medical societies and pharmaceutical laboratories. And we all know where they are going. Obesity has never worried them so much”, Says another user on the same platform.“The campaign shit that have taken out of obesity without filters? Wow “says another.

On the other hand, others, the few, make a positive assessment of the message. “A campaign based on health promotion and without fear of prevailing wokism”, Says one.
“Thanks for launching this campaign. It is amazing that most people have overweight or obesity and that they create healthy and hardly criticize those who care about their health. It is necessary to raise awareness and give more diffusion to messages like this”, Points another in response to Novo Nordisk on Instagram.

As explained from Novo Nordisk to Reason.WHYare “aware that it is a disruptive initiative that can cause reactions of all kinds ”. They also say that they plan to present it in the next few days in an act that will take place in Madrid in which it can be “Listen to all the parties involved“And in which they will explain”The reasons that have promoted its implementation”

Regarding their position, they point out that “It is necessary to eliminate the filters from the conversation about obesity because obesity does not need protection, needs knowledge to act in front of it and ask for medical help, as we face any other chronic disease“And they add:”We have been checking that the best accompaniment to people with obesity requires honesty and sensitivity: everything begins with an honest conversation about their health and at the same time sensitive with their emotional health“

In this sense, so much Novo Nordisk and the participating entities seek take away the obesity of aesthetic currents or body-positive so that there is a real social awareness of the importance of going to the doctor. They also point out that the “obesity without filters” platform is the only one that brings together entities with the most experience in the fight against our country to generate social knowledge around obesity.

Some users have also criticized the Obesity qualification as a disease. The World Health Organization (WHO) considers it as such. Your website states: “Obesity is a complex chronic disease that is defined by excessive fat accumulation that can be harmful to health.“Indicates that it can cause an increase in the risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease, affect bone health and reproduction and increase the risk of certain types of cancer.

As stated in the aforementioned media, the Spanish society for the study of obesity (SEEDO), which has given its endorsement to the campaign, has indicated that the result was not expected. Consider that the awareness campaign “You have to go on another line, not with ads like that “and believe that “The opposite is going to be achieved from what to be because it is very aggressive and violent“. According to The countrythe organization has gathered with Novo Nordisk to request changes.

While it is true that neither the campaign nor the website to which it directs mentioned medication, although it does include a calculator for self -assessment Based on the waist-height index (WHTR) and the body mass index, the latter being an indicator that many professionals consider outdated.

Depending on the results, the tool invites consult with a doctor. “According to the results of your diagnostic tests and your needs, your health provider may recommend a weight reduction plan or discuss other obesity care options for long -term weight management”, He states.