Photo courtesy of Greenpeace.org

A public health watchdog group is demanding that McDonald’s remove the toys from all its meal packages. Pointing out toys promoting the latest “Shrek” movie, the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) says that Happy Meals lure children into McDonald’s restaurants and encourage them to order food that is loaded with calories, fat and salt.

On Tuesday, the CSPI served the fast food giant with a state required letter expressing an intent to sue if toys are not removed.

“McDonald’s is the stranger in the playground handing out candy to children,” Stephen Gardner, litigation director for the advocacy group said in a statement to the L.A. Times. “McDonald’s use of toys undercuts parental authority and exploits young children’s developmental immaturity.”

Apparently McDonald’s disagrees with that characterization, and says the meals are appropriately sized for children and offer healthy choices. Spokesman William Whitman, said the toys are “just one part of a fun, family experience at McDonald’s.”

Apple slices are offered instead of French fries and children can order milk or juice with their Happy Meals instead of soda. But the apple dippers come with caramel sauce – loaded with sugars.

Opponents say Happy Meals simply feed the nation’s obesity epidemic but food industry reps says that healthier choices are now available to children — and urge parents to take responsibility for what their kids order.

I am kind of in the middle here. YES. They are luring children to eat junk because of the toys. YES, it is irresponsible, inappropriate and are there to fill Mickey D’s pockets with money. Capitalism at it’s best, right?

BUT… YES – parents do need to take responsibility. They are more than likely the ones supplying their children with food (unless at daycare, school, etc.). We need to teach our children about healthy eating, physical activity and show them the way to lead normal, healthy lives. Treats should be treats and not part of every day life. And this needs to be taught. By parents, by teachers, by role models. Like the old saying goes, it takes a village to raise a child and in the case of healthy habits and healthy eating, this statement is perfect.

Tagged as: capitalism, Center for Science in the Public Interest, Childhood obesity, Children, Happy Meals, health, kids, McDonald's, parents, toys

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I was watching the Food Network program, “Unwrapped,” with my kids last night, and the focus was on amusement park food. Now we’ve all had candy apples, funnel cakes, cotton candy and, of course, sno cones. But some of the “treats” available at theme parks around the country were, for all intents and purposes, artery hardeners of the first order. Take (if you please) deep fried Milky Ways or Deep Fried Twinkies. And for that matter, don’t forget deep fried popcorn (huh?), deep fried lollipops, and the superduper deep fried corn Brat. Luckily, my kids let out a “blech” in unison, and my daughter called it “shock food.”

Aptly put.

Tagged as: Childhood obesity, food, healthy eating

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We’ve long seen the power of using cartoons to target children. When I saw the recent “Super Ingredient Task Force” campaign, I thought it was more of the same.

We all recognize the Trix Rabbit, Capt’n Crunch and the Nesquik Rabbit as spokespeople for delicious, if unhealthy, food options. (hmmm, rabbits are apparently excellent salespeople!)

But the Super Delicious Ingredient Force is different. This isn’t cutting edge animation targeting today’s media-savvy youth. Rather, it’s a blatant rip-off homage to the Super Friends from the 70s/80s.

There are interesting implications here: we are more conscious about advertising unhealthy foods and behaviors to children, but this is marketing towards adults, tapping into nostalgia. It may seem that that makes it more socially acceptable, because adults should have the right to make their own choice about health. And, perhaps that is why one member of the Force is the svelte “Super Reduced Fat Sour Cream”.. to try to show adults that fast food isn’t forcibly unhealthy. But how much are we getting wrapped up in the characters and the emotions they evoke, rather than what they’re selling?

Tagged as: Childhood obesity, entertainment, nutrition

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From Babe Ruth’s belly to Kirby Puckett’s bubble butt, Major League Baseball players have always been known as the portliest of professional athletes and apparently, their clubhouse meals haven’t been helping the matter any.
Last fall, National Public Radio reported that over a third of all Major League baseball clubs are skimming the fat and adding a new member to their roster – nutritionists.
In an interview with Giant’s pitcher Barry Zito, he described the San Francisco clubhouse as a nightmare for nutritionists. “There was every candy bar you could imagine right there at our disposal, every ice cream treat, and hot dogs, hamburgers,” Zito says. “You’d be amazed what professional athletes get fed every day. It’s probably worse than, you know, [what] the kids of America are eating.”
Players eat two to three meals a day at the clubhouse, so when the food served to the team is fatty and unhealthy, it becomes a part of their daily lives.
That is why this season, the Giants have followed suit and brought in a chef from a five star restaurant to cook healthy, but delicious meals. By twisting traditional recipes into healthier fare, the Giants – and a third of major league baseball clubs are slowly eating their way to healthier bodies.
But not all players are thrilled with the culinary changes. Some players, like Tim Lincecum, last year’s Cy Young award recipient, don’t feel that their diet affects performance. I am guessing most nutritionists and trainers will disagree. Either way, it is encouraging to see the MLB get as serious about health as they are about home runs. Let’s hope the players are carrying their healthy eating habits into the off season and onto this year’s field.
Read or listen to NPR’s piece on a healthier MLB.

Tagged as: Childhood obesity, healthy eating, Major League Baseball, obesity, sports

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