Happy Meal toys = fat kids?
Courtesy McDonalds.com
The consumer advocacy group Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) claims that fast food chain McDonald’s is making kids fat and promoting unhealthy eating habits because their Happy Meals come with toys.
Earlier this month CSPI demanded Mickey D’s stop selling the toys within 30 days or be slapped with a lawsuit.
Parents have the ultimate say in whether or not their kids eat cheeseburgers and fries or skinless chicken breasts and broccoli. If they are that easily swayed by a 5- or 6-year-old tugging at their pant leg for a toy and a few McNuggets, their parenting skills need evaluating.
CSPI claims that the way McDonald’s markets the Happy Meals — with movie and TV show tie-ins — causes children to pester their parents until they get the high-calorie, high-fat food. While they acknowledge the hamburger chain’s healthier options, CSPI claims that once children are promised a toy, few choose the healthier meal.
The only thing McDonald’s can do is offer healthier meal choices. The restaurant already makes it a point to advertise children enjoying more nutritionally-balanced foods like Chicken McNuggets, Apple Dippers with low-fat caramel sauce and 1% milk, for example.
Ultimately, it’s up to parents to teach kids to make good choices about what they put in their bodies.
— Kelcie Willis | VOX Staff
I actually read today that Georgia is tied in the 17th percentile with Pennsylvania and Indiana in terms of obesity levels. This is very sad.
I think its sort or twisted the way these fast food chains work. People do have the power to make thier own chocies, but children are impressionable, and McDonalds is swaying thier decisions by tempting them with toys.
wow i never knew about that and ow much it can effect all of us
I mean i think it’s up to the parents…SO WHAT if McDonald’s advertises with toys and stuff to kids…it’s not like kids can get the keys and drive to the store. If the parents let their kids eat that crap, then it’s on them! McDonald’s is just trying to get their money. I think that is a total personal issue!