A scene from smash-hit Australian kids’ TV show Bluey has been removed after sparking an outcry among parents and health professionals.
The episode, which was titled ‘Exercise’ and aired in April, shows Bluey’s parents, Bandit and Chilli, weighing themselves on bathroom scales.
“Aw man”, Bandit says, as he clutches at the skin at his middle and reads the number on the scales.
This moves him to do more exercise, and he ropes in the whole family for backyard workouts.
The scene lasted just 30 seconds, but it drew an immediate reaction from fans.
“We watched today’s new Bluey episode on catch-up and I tuned out 10 seconds in when Bandit stood on a set of scales because Bluey has a really, really damaging way of portraying food, exercise and being ‘healthy’,” one Twitter user wrote.
“‘Oh, Chilli and Bandit are such good parent role models!’ Are they really? They’re fat-phobic and are going to give their kids eating disorders.”
Another wrote: “I love Bluey but today’s new episode, starting with Bandit and Chilli jumping on the scales and being disappointed with their weight, followed by Bandit grabbing the skin on his tummy, was not it.”
On Friday, the ABC acted, removing the offending scene and “updating it”.
“The recent episode of Bluey, ‘Exercise’, has been republished by the ABC following a decision by the makers of the program. The new version provides families with the opportunity to manage important conversations in their own way,” it said in a statement.
“As the home of Bluey, the ABC supports the decision to re-edit the program and we have updated the episode on our platforms.”
BBC Studios, which distributes Bluey internationally, will also use the revised episode.
Friday’s move followed a wave of criticism of the scene.
Other parents described how they “cringed internally” watching it, while one admitted it had “triggered my own body image issues.”
Paediatric dietitian Kyla Ringrose told News.com.au that she was unimpressed.
“Watching Bandit and Chilli weigh themselves and openly hate on their bodies in front of the kids was really uncomfortable,” Dr Ringrose said.
Other parents commentators, however, congratulated those behind the animated hit for “spreading the message on real-life scenarios”.
“Great episode. Loved how it ended with Bandit being at the doctors showing that exercise is to keep you healthy and happy,” wrote on fan on the show’s official Facebook page.
“I didn’t have an issue with the beginning as that is one way that we check on our health. It is great opportunity to discuss weight as health rather than link it to body image especially if your child sees it as such.”
Debate on the Facebook page raged through 400 comments.
