ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Walt Disney World says it is retooling an Epcot exhibit on childhood obesity after critics complained that it was insensitive to obese kids.
The interactive Habit Heroes exhibit was closed shortly after its unofficial opening in February, the Orlando Sentinel reported Thursday. The official opening has been postponed indefinitely.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield partnered with Disney to create the exhibit. It features animated fitness superheros Will Power and Callie Stenics and villains including super-sized Snacker and Lead Bottom, who eat junk food and watch too much television.
Critics of the exhibit say it reinforces stereotypes that obese children are lazy and have poor eating habits. Doctors say obesity can sometimes be attributed to genetics, certain medications and food can be used as a coping mechanism.