Home 'Look after yourself!' badge

'Look after yourself!' badge

Object

Badge

Production date

c. 1978-1980

Object number

2024.6

Physical Description

Circular badge with a red text reading 'Look after yourself!'. The illustration at the center depicts a humanoid character skipping a rope.

Object history

In 1978 the Health Education Council launched the campaign ‘Look After Yourself’ by eating less, exercising more and quitting smoking. It sought to promote awareness of risk factors for heart disease, hypertension and diabetes together in central messaging.

The accompanying advertising campaign designed by the Saatchi & Saatchi focussed on humour, sex appeal, and ideas around what a socially desirable body size looks like, with slogans such as '‘You’d enjoy more sex if you had a pair of running shoes’, 'Is your body coming between you and the opposite sex?' and '‘Do you hold your breath when a man looks at you?’

Associated Person

Ian Rathbone (Owner)

Material

Metal
Plastics

Dimension

Diameter (Front): 5.3cm

On display?

No

Inscription

LOOK AFTER YOURSELF!