Missing Limbs

Diabetes, a frequent counterpart to obesity, is a growing health concern in Brazil. Over half of the adults are overweight, and the country ranks fourth in the world in the number of people with diabetes. The Support Group for Eating Disorders and Anxiety, also known as the GATDA clinic, is dedicated to helping Brazilians with eating and anxiety disorders.

The founder noticed an uptick in patients because the pandemic worsened factors — such as stress, inactivity and increased screen time — that exacerbate eating problems. This, in combination with the population’s passivity around managing diabetes and even denial about its consequences, inspired the founder to partner with us to create Missing Limb. To show the possible reality of amputation and drive behavior change, we illustrated our cautionary tale and distributed it in print throughout the countryside of Brazil.