PhotoVoice Part 2:

Curated Feed Via: Flat Tummy Co Instagram Feed

Flat tummy Co Instagram Feed

Detox Tea- Source: Flat Tummy Tea Co Website

Meal Replacement Shake-Source: Flat Tummy Co Website

Appetite Suppression Lollipops-Source: Flat Tummy Co Website

Information Tool Bar- Source: Flat tummy Co Website

Weight loss products have been on the market for a long time. In our instant gratification society, people are often looking for quick results. Tummy flattening/detox teas have been a popular product on social media. The more popular companies have even had reality stars, and influencers promote their products. These paid promotions have been controversial as the reality stars in question are known to have access to personal chefs, fitness instructors, and plastic surgeons. Yet they are attributing their weight loss to these products. I decided to have a closer look at Flat Tummy Tea Co. which is one of the most popular detox tea brands.  As I scrolled through their Instagram feed, I could tell that their target market is twentysomethings. There is a certain appealing aesthetic of pink, cute workout clothes and sneakers, colorful manicures, cutesy life quotes, and perfectly posed pictures from influencers. All the things that they know their target market love. I was very curious about what exactly is in the products they sell. Their product line includes the detox tea, shakes, and lollipops all marketed as weight management tools. I noticed that there does not seem to be any ingredient information on the Instagram page. I visited the website from my phone but initially could not find the ingredient list. After switching over to my computer, however, I realized I must have just scrolled past it on my phone. After reading through the ingredient list of the tea, shakes and lollipops, I was ready to answer the question “Do I really know what I need to make a healthy choice?”. The answer for me is no. Although they do provide an ingredient list, I found myself needing to know more about what is in the products. A few of the ingredients on the Shake and lollipops are trademarked but they do not provide any detailed information on them. The tea description empathizes that it is natural but does not go into detail about how it works. I had to scroll down to the FAQ to find out how it works.  “What’s the typical discourse (what “most people” say?) about this & similar products/services?” The discourse on detox teas seems to be very mixed. The website boasts 15,000 positive reviews from happy customers. But others, including doctors have been vocal about the potential harms.

Viewing the Instagram and website of this company made me realize how important a skill like critical literacy is. It was one of the first theories I learned in this class and has been utilized frequently during my work. The messaging on this website implies that their “natural” products are gentle. I decided to dig a little deeper and look up the ingredient Senna. Senna is a natural leaf and acts as a laxative. Prolonged use (more than 2 weeks) of Senna can be harmful as your body begins to rely on a laxative to move your bowels, according to the The U.S National Library of Medicine (McNeilly, 2016). One of their products is a 4-week cleanse, which contradicts this recommendation. Where are the protections for consumers? I believe the benefits of completing a project like this, even for someone with limited understanding of consumer health, are that you begin to ask questions and go looking for the answers. I have seen these teas advertised for years and have never given them much thought. Seeing how some of the products are marketed to young women as a quick fix over diet and nutrition does not feel right to me. I hope this project influences readers to research health products before purchasing them. We live in the age of influencer marketing and tend to trust those we follow on social media. But we must remember they are being paid to sell a product and out best interests are not always taken into consideration.

References:

Cleanse & Debloat or cut The Cals. Flat Tummy Co. (n.d.). https://flattummyco.com/.

McNeilly, C. (2016, January 15). Why Instagram’s Favorite diet – “Teatoxing” – won’t actually help you lose weight. Teen Vogue. https://www.teenvogue.com/story/tea-detox-teatox-bad-for-health-dangers.

Peer Review Comment

The main point of this contribution is found in this sentence “Proposition 65 requires businesses to provide warnings to Californians about significant exposures to chemicals that cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm.” From reading this contribution by makennahansen00 , I learned more about Proposition 65 and a similar law in Washington, Senate Bill 5135. Proposition 65 is a Californian law requiring businesses to provide warnings to consumers if their products contain harmful chemicals. Washington enacted a similar law that has the added protection of giving agencies the ability to ban harmful chemicals. It would be good for parents to read this contribution, because they are the ones doing the purchasing in families. The strongest (or most credible) part of this contribution is not only the concise way Makenna explains the California and Washington law, but also the questions she asks. These questions made me want to further investigate the stipulations of the Washington law.  There was just one minor type in sentence 4, “nation wide” should be one word. One part that made me want to read more on this topic is, as Makenna stated, there is not a clear disclosure on labels in Washington State. This makes me want to do my own digging to find the regulations. On a 1 to 4 scale where 1 is the lowest possible and 4 is the highest possible, I rate this contribution a 4 overall, because she explained the laws in a way that kept me engaged and curious to learn more.

Glossary Building 5

Financial health comes in a close second to physical health, in my opinion. Having good credit is necessary to secure loans for your education, buying a house or renting an apartment, and even some employers have a look at your credit during the hiring process. Unfortunately, a lot of people are not taught this skill at home or in school. But there are many resources to help you build your knowledge.

An important skill to learn is Financial Literacy which is defined as “the ability to effectively understand and use various financial skills (Fernando, 2021).” This could be your personal finances, budgets, and how to invest your money properly. Predatory Lending imposes unfair and deceptive loan terms on the borrowers (Hayes, 2021). These practices were especially prevalent in 2008 and are thought to be the reason for the housing crisis. Many states have even enacted anti-predatory lending laws. Credit Repair companies are another example of how consumers can be exploited in times of desperation. Consumers are protected through The Credit Repair Organizations Act which “prohibits untrue or misleading representations and requires certain affirmative disclosures in the offering or sale of “credit repair” services” (Federal Trade Commission, 2016). It necessary to take a proactive approach and learn about loan practices and personal finance management if you want your financial health to in great shape.

Financial Literacy- The ability to effectively understand and use various financial tools

Predatory Lending- Unfair and deceptive loan terms

The Credit Repair Organizations Act- prohibits untrue or misleading representations and requires certain affirmative disclosures in the offering or sale of “credit repair” services

References:

Credit repair Organizations Act. Federal Trade Commission. (2016, July 26). https://www.ftc.gov/enforcement/statutes/credit-repair-organizations-act.

Fernando, J. (2021, June 2). Financial literacy. Investopedia. https://www.investopedia.com/terms/f/financial-literacy.asp.

Hayes, A. (2021, July 22). Predatory lending. Investopedia. https://www.investopedia.com/terms/p/predatory_lending.asp.

Financial Prompt One

Financial literacy is a crucial skill to develop to become a conscious and informed consumer. Over the course of our lives many of us will acquire student loan debt, credit card debt, and debt from buying a home. Having the correct information and understanding about what protections we have as consumers can inform our decisions. For instance, there are many options to repay student loans through federal plans or refinancing a private loan. But there are also several scammers who take advantage of those who may feeling desperate to pay back loans. These companies set up sophisticated websites that resemble a government agency and trick unsuspecting consumers into paying monthly payments (McGrath, 2016). Consumers must do their research before giving any financial information to a company claiming to help with student loans.

I believe some policymakers are beginning to understand what it might take to have a better functioning workforce. First and foremost, some workers must be paid more. The minimum wage of $7.25 has not been raised in more than a decade, and it is also not reflective of today’s cost of living (Filipovoc, 2021). Even in Seattle where the minimum wage is $15, people are still paying an average of $1590 for a one-bedroom rental. So, you are paying more than half of your paycheck on rent. Workers also need access to affordable and reliable universal childcare. Childcare costs rose during the pandemic by 55%, and in Washington state the average cost went from $11,744 to $18,237 (Savransky, 2021). It is also estimated that 14% of Washingtonians income goes toward childcare. Overall, if we want people to work, we have to pay them a living wage and reduce the barriers that may be preventing them to work.  

References:

Filipovic, O. by J. (2021, June 2). Opinion: The real reason employers can’t hire enough workers. CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2021/06/01/opinions/covid-workers-labor-shortage-pandemic-benefits-filipovic/index.html.

Leonhardt, M. (2020, September 29). 64% of Americans changed their spending habits during The PANDEMIC-HERE’S how. CNBC. https://www.cnbc.com/2020/09/29/americans-have-changed-their-spending-habits-during-the-pandemic-heres-how.html.

McGrath, M. (2020, December 15). 10 things you absolutely need to know about student loans. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/maggiemcgrath/2016/01/05/10-things-you-absolutely-need-to-know-about-student-loans/?sh=77920c6f10d0. Savransky, B. (2021, May 19). Child care costs in Washington have risen 55% during pandemic. seattlepi.com. https://www.seattlepi.com/coronavirus/article/child-care-costs-in-washington-up-55-percent-15963654.php.

Glossary Building 4:

Children are some of the most ideal consumers. They are often watching TV or YouTube, and advertisers capitalize on selling to them during the many commercial/ad breaks. Yet, our youngest consumers are vulnerable to chemical exposure in the toys they play with, food they eat, and products they use.

Children’s risk of being harmed by chemicals is greater because they grow so rapidly (Ink, 2018). And children under 3 are particularly vulnerable because they often put toys made of plastic in their mouth. Phthalates are a man-made chemical used in solvents, personal care products, and plastic products (Zero Breast Cancer, n.d.). Phthalates disrupt the endocrine system and when they have been absorbed into the body they can mimic, block, or suppress hormones. BPA is another harmful chemical found in plastic products. BPA is a “chemical produced in large quantities for use primarily in the production of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, (n.d.).”  In 2012, the FDA banned the use of BPA in baby bottles and sippy cups. In 2008 Washington state passed the Children’s Safe Products Act limiting “the use of lead, cadmium, phthalates, and some flame retardants in children’s products (Children’s Safe Products Act, n.d.).” This law also holds manufacturers responsible for reporting their products made with chemicals that are especially dangerous to children.

Phthalates– Phthalates are a family of man-made chemical compounds developed in the last century to be used in the manufacture of plastics, solvents, and personal care products (Zero Breast Cancer, n.d.)

BPA- Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical produced in large quantities for use primarily in the production of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, (n.d.)

Children’s Safe Products Act- Washington’s Children’s Safe Products Act (or CSPA) limits the use of lead, cadmium, phthalates, and some flame retardants in children’s products. It also requires manufacturers to report if their products contain chemicals of high concern to children (Children’s Safe Products Act, n.d.)

References:

Children’s safe products act. Children’s Safe Products Act – Washington State Department of Ecology. (n.d.). https://ecology.wa.gov/Waste-Toxics/Reducing-toxic-chemicals/Childrens-Safe-Products-Act.

Ink, S. (2018, February 26). The hidden danger in children’s toys. WE ACT for Environmental Justice. https://www.weact.org/2018/02/hidden-danger-childrens-toys/.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). Bisphenol a (BPA). National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/sya-bpa/index.cfm.

Zero Breast Cancer. (n.d.). Phthalates: the Everywhere Chemical. nih.gov. https://www.niehs.nih.gov/research/supported/assets/docs/j_q/phthalates_the_everywhere_chemical_handout_508.pdf.

Early Life and Childhood/Youth: Prompt 2

This prompt is of particular interest to me as a mother of three, one of which is a video game enthusiast. Prior to the pandemic we had a great schedule of weekend use only for screen-time and video games. Once the pandemic started, video game play with school friends was how my oldest child stayed connected to the outside world. Our usual boundaries for when and how long he could play video games went out the window in the name of survival. Studies have shown that screen time usage went up 60% during the pandemic (Reid Health, n.d.), so I know our household is not alone.

Children are particularly vulnerable to the sophisticated marketing that is aimed at them. My child thinks he is sitting down to enjoy a game and have some fun with friends. What he does not understand is that his gaming habits are being studied and influenced so that he will purchase items in the game (Henn, 2013). Helping young kids establish healthy consumer behaviors really starts with setting boundaries and having honest conversations. That way everyone’s expectations are on the same page regarding screen-time usage. I think it is appropriate to explain to a 10-year-old that sitting for an extended period to play a video game is not healthy. In addition to video game usage leading to sedentary children, it also creates tiny consumerists. The games are designed to pull kids in and spend, spend, spend (Henn, 2013). If a child wants to purchase something in a game, having them earn it over a period of a week takes the instant gratification element out. Empowering kids to make decisions about how they spend their time and money with screens does not have to be complicated.

References:

Henn, S. (2013, October 29). How Video Games Are Getting Inside Your Head – And Wallet. NPR. https://www.npr.org/sections/alltechconsidered/2013/10/30/241449067/how-video-games-are-getting-inside-your-head-and-wallet.

How Much Screen Time Should Kids Get During the Pandemic? Reid Health. (n.d.). https://www.reidhealth.org/blog/how-much-screen-time-should-kids-get-during-the-pandemic.

PhotoVoice: Part 1

Hi everyone,

For my project I will be discussing the advertisement of weight loss products. I will focus on how these products are marketed to audiences through Social Media and how they “pop up” in our feeds as sponsored posts. I will answer the following questions:

• “Do I really know what I need to to make a healthy choice?”
• “What’s the typical discourse (what “most people” say?) about this & similar products/services?”

Glossary Building Three

This week’s learning from the consumer protections and regulations material offered some surprising revelations of how products and product ingredients are tested for safety. For cosmetics, the testing is really left up to the manufacturer. They are only required to ensure that they are using safe ingredients but may not necessarily test them. This leaves consumers vulnerable to using products that may contain harmful chemicals.

PFAS Chemicals are substances often used inwater-proof jackets and non-stick pans. They are also used inseveral cosmetic products like mascara, eyeliner, lipstick, and anti-aging lotions. PFAS add a waterproofing ability and smoothness to makeup. PFAS do not break down in the body easily and can cause reproductive issues, kidney and liver problems, and increased cholesterol levels (Zhang-Schwartz, 2018). The Personal Care Products Safety Act is a bill that has been introduced thatwould require the FDA to test a minimum of 5 ingredients in consumer products each year to determine how safe they are. This would provide manufacturers some guidance on which ingredients to possibly avoid thus providing more protection to consumers from harmful chemicals. Clean Beauty refers to products and brands that use ingredients that have been evaluated for safety and provide transparency of the ingredients used.

• PFAS Chemicals- “PFAS” is short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances.
• Personal Care Products Safety Act- A bill that would offer consumers more protection from harmful ingredients and provide manufacturers guidance on which chemicals to possibly avoid.
• Clean beauty- products with ingredients that have been evaluated for safety and provide transparency of the ingredients used.

References:

Breaking Down Toxic PFAS. Earthjustice. (2021, June 10). https://earthjustice.org/features/breaking-down-toxic-pfas?gclid=CjwKCAjwos-HBhB3EiwAe4xM90zwL83aMSZ0JRkjL8yWio728efMTLiVc7GzszKu07K6zJ6tPVPX4BoCDF4QAvD_BwE.

 Emma Zang-Schwartz, M. P. H. (2018, September 25). What is PFAS? Because Health. https://www.becausehealth.org/pfas-pretty-freaking-awful-stuff-2554601721.html.

Consumer Protection and Regulation: Prompt One

The regulation of toxic chemicals in cosmetic products is a major concern to me as I regularly purchase skincare, makeup, and haircare products. I have read articles about lead in lipstick and formaldehyde in shampoo. Prior to that, I was naïve about what was in the products I was using. After learning about harmful toxins in beauty products, I began to seek out cosmetic lines that were clean. A product is classified as clean if the ingredients are made clear to the consumer and the ingredients have been evaluated for safety (Boisseau, 2021). This is where it can get confusing. Unfortunately, there are no laws requiring FDA approval for cosmetics and cosmetic ingredients. The FDA does not require specific testing for pre-market approval for product ingredients (Tickner, n.d.). The manufacturers of the product are legally responsible only to ensure the safety of their product but are not required to do testing (Boisseau, 2021). Currently, consumers are really at the mercy of manufacturers and must rely on them to avoid using toxic ingredients. There is legislation on the horizon that will go into effect in 2025. The Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act was recently passed in California which will ban more than 25 toxic ingredients from cosmetics in the state. The hope is that since California is such a large market, it will prompt manufacturers to make cleaner products. Manufacturers will be left to decide if they want to make two separate products or just make one clean product.

References:

Boisseau, S. (2021, April 1). What’s the Deal with Clean Beauty Regulations? Because Health. https://www.becausehealth.org/clean-beauty-regulations-2651322037.html.

Tickner, J., & Torrie, Y. (n.d.). Presumption of Safety: Limits of Federal Policies on Toxic Substances in Consumer Product. sustainableproduction.org.

Glossary Building 2

Understanding your health care benefits can be a complex and even daunting task. According to a 2018 PolicyGenius survey, only 40% of Americans say they are “very confident” that they can choose the right health care plan. Having at least a basic understanding of insurance terms can support consumers in choosing the right plan for their needs and budget.

A pre-existing condition is a health problem you have prior to or on the start date of a new insurance plan. In the past insurers could deny or charge more for coverage if you had a pre-existing condition. Pre-existing conditions are now protected under the ACA. Your deductible is the amount you are responsible to pay before your insurance company begins paying. This amount resets every year, typically at the beginning of the year. Once you have met your deductible your insurer begins paying their portion of your health care services. Generally, the higher your deductible, the lower your insurance premium is. Onceyou have met your deductible, you are responsible for paying your percentage of your medical costs, this is known as Co-Insurance. This amount will vary by insurance plans. As an example, let us say your co-insurance is 20%. This means you will pay 20% and your insurer will pay 80% of what your medical costs are. This is not a set amount like a co-pay but can vary dependent upon the services received.

• Pre-existing condition- injury, illness or a health condition that existed before a health plan begins.
• Deductible- the amount the insured is responsible to pay before your insurer begins paying.
• Co-Insurance- the percentage you must pay for your medical costs after your deductible has been met.

Resources:

4 Health Insurance Terms 96% of Americans Don’t Know. Policygenius. (n.d.). https://www.policygenius.com/health-insurance/health-insurance-literacy-survey/.

Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs (ASPA). (2021, March 30). Pre-Existing Conditions. HHS.gov. https://www.hhs.gov/healthcare/about-the-aca/pre-existing-conditions/index.html.