Actor 'Beyond Shocked' After Seeing Leg Amputated in Altered NYC Health Ad
A Los Angeles actor has expressed his shock over an altered photo of him that has made its way across New York City billboards.
Cleo Berry, 27, took part in a photo shoot while living in New York City several years ago. The photo was eventually sold to ImageSource who in turn sold the image to the New York City Health Department, which alerted the picture for a new ad campaign.
The health department used Berry's image as part of its campaign aimed at promoting healthy lifestyles and portion control.
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In the image Berry is shown sitting next to soda cups with his right leg amputated. The ad is being used as part of the city's anti-diabetes campaign and reads, "Cut Your Portions, Cut Your Risk."
Berry, an aspiring actor, told The New York Times that he was "beyond shocked" when he saw his altered image.
"I cried at my computer screen for like a minute," he said.
The campaign is slated to reach the over 57 percent of New Yorkers that struggle with obesity and health concerns due to being overweight.
"These are hard-hitting images because we really felt we need to drive home a point that large portions are not completely benign," City Health Commissioner Thomas Farley told Reuters.
The health department admits that it altered the image of the 27-year-old actor, but maintains that it did so to raise awareness about the prevalence of diabetes among New Yorkers.
"This issue isn't about one actor but rather the 700,000 New Yorkers who struggle with diabetes which kills 1,700 people a year and causes amputations in another 3,000," a health department spokesperson said in a statement.
Indeed, health has became a major concern for Americans across the country.
A recently published report published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests that the prevalence of obesity has not changed since 2007. The research found that over 78 million adults and 12.5 million children aged 2-19 are suffering from obesity.
