Honestly, why are we asking a fast food restaurant to police themselves? What are they going to do, join with other corporations who peddle the nutritiously-void, chemically-suspect, affordable food to it customers? Will they also begin shaming overweight children, touting a calorie in/calorie out paradigm that doesn’t work, and calling themselves responsible for doing so?
McDonald’s has improved some menu items, aiming to be more nutritious: salads, oatmeal, yogurt parfaits. Still:
it has pulled ahead of rivals and delivered outsized returns for investors with help from its core lineup of fatty food and sugary drinks.
Wouldn’t it be super hypocritical for McDonald’s to begin denouncing obesity in our society while still selling Big Macs, Quarterpounders, and chicken nuggets? Will they resort to throwing a free pedometer into a salad meal like they have in the past? Will they show pictures of a lone motionless fat kid while the thin kids run around and have fun surrounded by friends?
McDonald’s serves a purpose. It sells familiar, easy-to-chew, cheap food. Their researchers and marketers have spent a cajillion dollars perfecting their formulas that appeal to people. I can get a decent cup of iced tea there for 99 cents. I can get oatmeal (have you tried the blueberry/banana?! yummy!) there any time of day. Busy families can grab a meal in minutes.
Why would McDonald’s kick themselves and bring attention to themselves as a contributor to childhood obesity? Are they really?
Has anyone come up with a concrete cause for the epidemic? Does the epidemic really exist? Are corporations and the government sounding an unnecessary warning cry? Think about it: Weight loss companies declare an epidemic and who profits? Their programs! The government can ring all the alarms it wants, but I refuse to take them seriously as long as ketchup is considered a vegetable in my child’s lunch and their anti-obesity campaigns amount to childhood bullying.
I’m guessing that the majority of people in our country are aware that McDonald’s is not offering the most nutritious food to its customers. They are OK with that being the case, because they use McDonald’s as a treat for their families. It’s OK to have treats and to let your children have treats. Life isn’t supposed to be one big deprivation of pleasure.
Good on McDonald’s for not being sucked into this vortex of hell the obesity epidemic is becoming. I’m beginning to think obesity isn’t the enemy at all.
5 Responses to “McDonald’s Rejects Call To Assess Impact On Childhood Obesity”
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The shareholder proposal, which also failed last year, returned amid growing concern over the social and financial costs of obesity in the United States and around the world – not only in terms of healthcare-related expenses but also lower worker productivity and diminished quality of life.
Claudia recently posted..3144 בעלי מקצוע שנבדקו
But is there really an increase in medical costs, diminished worker productivity and quality of life? Check this out by the wonderful Ragen Chastain http://danceswithfat.wordpress.com/2012/05/11/the-true-cost-of-fatties/
Susie Kline recently posted..McDonald’s Rejects Call To Assess Impact On Childhood Obesity
Thanks for the link. I’m having a look.
Claudia recently posted..3144 בעלי מקצוע שנבדקו
I agree it would be super-hypocritical for them to “police themselves.” It’s how I feel about every liquor ad that implores people to “drink responsibly.” I can barely stand to eat anything from McDonalds after having read “The Omnivore’s Dilemma” among other books that really explain their food-chemistry practices, as well as things I have read about their business practices. My son still loves it though so I can’t say I don’t go there or have prohibited my family. I do think we owe it to ourselves as consumers, especially those of us who are parents and are responsible for helping children learn to eat nutritiously, to be well-educated and to see McDonalds food for what it is, the good and the bad.
Paula Kiger recently posted..Hey Paula (A Mama Kat Writing Prompt)
I watched Food, Inc. and eating food at Wendy’s and McDonald’s is pretty much off my list. I’ll have to check out Omnivore’s Dilemma. You’re spot on when you mention the liquor industry!
Susie Kline recently posted..McDonald’s Rejects Call To Assess Impact On Childhood Obesity