France and US in battle of Big Mac -French magazine says children should eat there only once a week.

independent.co.uk ^

[chance33_98]

France and US in battle of Big Mac

By Andrew Johnson

The American and European arms of the burger giant McDonald's are involved in a row after an admission in a French magazine advert that children should eat in their restaurants only once a week.

McDonald's France placed a full-page advertorial in the magazine Femme Actuelle headlined "McDonald's – is it causing obesity in children?" in response to figures showing child obesity in the country had doubled to 16 per cent in 10 years.

Two independent nutritionists tackled the question. One, Agnes Mignonac, wrote that as long as the child took regular exercise, ate healthilyand wasn't overweight, a once-a-week treat was harmless. For overweight children, she advised a hamburger rather than deep-fried Chicken McNuggets.

But the campaign has provoked a furious response from the corporation's American HQ in Chicago, which issued a statement saying: "This is the opinion of one consultant. We strongly disagree. The vast majority of nutrition professionals say McDonald's food can be and is part of a healthy diet based on the sound nutrition principles of balance, variety and moderation."

It added that Happy Meals are "considered an 'excellent' or 'good' source of more than nine nutrients by the FDA [the Food and Drug Administration, the US regulator]".

A spokeswoman for McDonald's in Britain said: "No one food should be regarded as healthy or unhealthy. It's common sense that physical exercise and balance are important, so it's not possible to recommend a specific number of visits. Parents should take into account the child's overall diet, lifestyle and level of activity."

[Oak]

I eat there every day, and it hasn't caused me any problems. Except for my hair.

-Rosie ODonnell-

[Post Toasties]

I thought it was all that pate the French ate that made them fat.

[MadIvan]

Considering the standards of hygiene in many French restaurants, the kids would probably be better off eating in McDonalds.

Regards, Ivan

Who is allergic to France

[Dianna]

The vast majority of nutrition professionals say McDonald's food can be and is part of a healthy diet based on the sound nutrition principles of balance, variety and moderation."

Wouldn't balance, variety and moderation lend itself to only eating at McDonald's about once per week?

[fporretto]

There isn't much wrong with McDonald's food. It's a little more fatty than average restaurant fare, and all restaurant food is heavy on sodium. That's not an endorsement, just a comparison.

Obesity trends in this country appear to correlate with the prevalence of eating out. We tend to indulge ourselves more easily when we eat out than when we're around our domestic tables. The atmosphere of a restaurant, even a fast-food restaurant, lends itself to this. After all, Mom doesn't offer you a menu, or take back your entree if it isn't just the way you like it.

I'd be quite surprised if that correlation didn't apply to France as well. But moderation cures this malady, as has already been observed by several others.

Freedom, Wealth, and Peace,
Francis W. Porretto
Visit the Palace Of Reason: http://palaceofreason.com

[chance33_98]

Obesity trends in this country appear to correlate with the prevalence of eating out.

I tend to burn more calories by exerting effort to cook then if I drive through somewhere. To make up for that I walk into McDee's and order instead of driving through :)

[RWG]

"This is the opinion of one consultant. We strongly disagree...the next time you go to a fast food restaurant look at the workers and see if there is not significant obesity. At more than one of these hamburger stands I noticed how fat most of the crew members were and wondered if management had ever considered what a disgusting presentation of self these people were making. At several places just seeing the workers would be enough to motivate most people to get fit and trim.