In Defense Of The Happy Meal

Forbes ^ | 25 June 2010 | James Epstein-Reeves

[Erik Latranyi]

This week, a consumer interest group announced its intention to bring the very important social issue of childhood obesity to court. The Center for Science in the Public Interest announced it will sue McDonald's for the chain's promotion of Happy Meals. CSPI says the toys that come with the meals encourage children and parents to make unhealthy choices.

"McDonald's is the stranger in the playground handing out candy to children," CSPI litigation director Stephen Gardner said on the organization's web site. "McDonald’s use of toys undercuts parental authority and exploits young children’s developmental immaturity—all this to induce children to prefer foods that may harm their health. It’s a creepy and predatory practice that warrants an injunction.”

Yikes.

Ignoring the hyperbole and emotional manipulation, Mr. Gardner and his organization miss several points:

[bgill]

The organization says that a combination of a "cheeseburger, French fries, and Sprite has half a day’s calories and saturated fat

You're right, the food nazis only focus on the highest calorie combinations and ignore the fruits, veggies, and alternative combinations. They are also ignoring the fact that most kids get distracted by the toy and never finish the whole cheeseburger/fries/drink combo. If it's left on the tray, it can't be counted in their stomach. So, toys are good!

[KosmicKitty]

Oh wow... I never thought of McDonalds in that way. I’ll keep it in mind for my children.

It was my mother who told me that. Guess that's what she used.

McDs does have it's usefulness :-)

[Sender]

Sustainability is also a code word for the anti-meat crowd. It takes a lot of grain to feed cows and chickens, and they would rather make you eat the grain.

[texmexis best]

“It takes a lot of grain to feed cows and chickens, and they would rather make you eat the grain.”

All sustainability consultants don’t know that cattle are raised on land that would not support profitable grain operations.

They have multi-disciplinary degrees. None of the multi-disciplines are husbandry or agriculture.

[texmexis best]

“It takes a lot of grain to feed cows and chickens, and they would rather make you eat the grain.”

All sustainability consultants don’t know that cattle are raised on land that would not support profitable grain operations.

They have multi-disciplinary degrees. None of the multi-disciplines are husbandry or agriculture.

[kabumpo]

My parents never dreamed of eating at or even entering places like McD, and I never set foot on one until I was an adult. We also had no soda in the house and there was almost never dessert — cake & icecream were only at birhtdays. Result was that I never even had a cavity until I was 13 years old, and to this day the smell of coke and pepsi makes me queasy.

Being a parent means taking responsibility for forming your children’s habits.

[Katya]

Completely ridiculous... I am the boss of my kids, therefore they were sad children who never got happy meals. No big deal... No one coerced or dissuaded me into going to McD’s.

I’ve always maintained, it’s the insurers who stand to lose money, who should enforce or offer discounts to people who lead healthier or safer lifestyles. So instead of seatbelt laws enforced by the police, the insurer would let you know ahead of time, they would not be covering your medical bills if you weren’t wearing a belt.