Marta Shakhazizian

• Obesity is a nationally declared epidemic.• Today, nearly one in three children in America are overweight or obese. • By the year 2030, 42% of the American population will be obese. • One third of all children born after the year 2000 will suffer from diabetes. • If left unabated, obesity will surpass smoking as the number one leading cause of death in the U.S.

• The average child sees 10,000 advertisements per year. • Most children can recognize McDonald’s before they can even speak. • Portion sizes have exploded – 2 to 5 times the size than they were in years past. • The average American now eats 15 more pounds of sugar a year than in 1970.

• Junk Kills is a photographic campaign that aims to encourage healthy eating habits among kids and teens.• Visually depict the dangers of unhealthy eating to combat current commercial ads that glorify junk food. • Combine shock imagery with a simple message: “Junk kills. Eat responsibly.”

Instead of telling people the dangers of unhealthy eating, let’s show them.

• Junk Kills has recently been invited to the Clinton Global Initiative conference, an annual conference held by Bill Clinton where students, topic experts, and celebrities come together to discuss innovative solutions to global problems. • Awarded $1500 in funding for more models, more photos, and a broader, more diverse campaign.

• Create a campus-wide campaign.• Use UD students from a variety of backgrounds as the campaign models. • Incorporate photography and graphic design classes.• Post the campaign photos all over campus in buses, buildings, dorms, dining halls, and social media sites like Facebook and Twitter.

• Measure to find if there is an increase in fruit and vegetable consumption in dining halls.• Inspire adolescents to make healthier choices.• Continue to broaden and strengthen the campaign each year. • Eventually make a national impact.