Docile Bodies 2

Anxiety is a huge part of this advertisement for Hydroxycut, a weight-loss product.  Not only do most women and men (who are generally a little overweight and not model-esque) have insecurities or self-esteem issues related to their bodies, but it is becoming increasingly difficult for men and women in today’s society to feel adequate in their own skin.   The headline on this ad, “Have you ever looked at your body and wanted to cry?” not only plays on these insecurities (by hoping the reader will mentally answer, ‘yes’, and want to read on), but it provides a visual ideal for what a woman should look like (slim, toned, attractive) as well as the ‘secret’ (aka Hydroxycut) to her success.  By reading this, a person may think that this ad is speaking to them personally because it is asking them something very private, and if they use Hydroxycut they will no longer want to cry when they look at their body if they use the product.  Also, if they do not use this product, they will continue to remain dissatisfied and unhappy with their physical appearance, which will only increase anxiety and insecurit.