[July 25, 2008]

Penn State: Group: Subway ad insulting

(U-Wire Via Acquire Media NewsEdge)
UWIRE-07/25/2008-Penn State: Group: Subway ad insulting (C) 2008 Daily
Collegian via UWIRE

By Jessica Barth, Daily Collegian (Penn State)

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. --

Munching on his favorite Subway sandwich, a BMT -- Biggest, Meatiest,
Tastiest -- Richard Watson put his full support behind the restaurant's
recent anti-fast food advertising campaign.

"Subway has really taken the lead compared to McDonald's and KFC," said
Watson a freshman majoring in international politics at Penn State and
a former Subway employee.

But according to The National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance
(NAAFA), Subway shouldn't be applauded.

Recent advertisements -- including one featuring a woman inquiring
about a combo at a fast-food restaurant -- have faced harsh criticism
from members of NAAFA.

In the commercial, the clerk explains the meal comes with "bloated
feeling, regret, remorse, a bigger waist, loss of self-esteem, loss of
boyfriend, shame and years of therapy."

Members of the organization believe these tactics "belittle and demean"
overweight people, according to a press release.

Additionally, NAAFA thinks Subway reinforces negative perceptions
associated with people of greater size, said Peggy Howell, NAAFA
spokeswoman.

"These advertisements insinuate that fat people are lazy, they stink
and that they have no self-esteem," Howell said. "It's totally
offensive."

Subway's advertisements reinforce negative misconceptions regarding fat
people, Howell said.

Despite Subway's good intentions, there are better and less offensive
ways to promote nutrition, Howell said.

"We had a great deal of complaints from people who were offended by
it," she said.

Using the kind of humor featured in these advertisements perpetuates
others to use similar offensive language, Howell said.

If Subway is promoting health, the business should just state that,
Howell said. Subway is not trying to do anything negative or to
specifically promote a diet, said Les Winograd, Subway spokesman.

People of greater size should take a look at the menu, Watson said.
Napkins also provide customers with information regarding calories in
Subway's food. Other places such as McDonald's don't do that, he added.

A former McDonald's employee and Penn State student found humor in the
ads that specifically poked fun at fast food.

"People should realize it's just a commercial and it shouldn't be taken
personally," said Justin Brown, a sophomore at PSU majoring in security
and risk analysis and a former McDonald's employee.

Other students agreed. Stephanie Huntsman doesn't think the commercial
was intended to be taken seriously.

"Take it with a grain of salt. It's a lighthearted way of poking fun at
how to be healthy and what will happen if you aren't. It emphasizes
that Subway has better options," Huntsman, a sophomore majoring in
kinesiology said.

The focus on avoiding being overweight might force people to prioritize
size over health, junior electrical engineering student Hector Williams
said.

"It's just telling obese people to eat right," he said.

Huntsman said Subway carries healthy foods.

"The Subways in State College are a nice alternative to chips and
cookie places," Huntsman said.

Subway supports a healthy lifestyle by providing fresh ingredients; it
bakes its own bread and promotes fresh vegetables, Winograd said.
Therefore, individuals have the ability to make nutritious choices, he
added.

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