January 9, 2008
Last month it was the soda makers who blamed childhood obesity on video games.
This time around, Mickey D's is pointing its greasy finger at your console.
As reported by MCV, Steve Easterbrook, CEO of McDonald's U.K., admitted that Big Macs played a role in beefing up kids, but blamed video games as a major cause of the obesity epidemic:
The issue of obesity is complex and is absolutely one our society is facing, there’s no denial about that. But if you break it down I think there’s an education piece: how can we better communicate to individuals the importance of a balanced diet and taking care of themselves?
Then there’s a lifestyle element: there’s fewer green spaces and kids are sat home playing computer games on the TV when in the past they’d have been burning off energy outside.
GP: Thanks to GamePolitics European Correspondent Mark "Beemoh" Kelly...
Comments
Genetics.
*sits back*
The past, like three decades ago? If this were 1982, then that comment might carry some weight, but it's 2008 and kids have been playing video games for a heck of a long time now. And hey, before video games it was comics books, another sedentary activity, getting all the blame. Either way, McD's has had plenty of time to take stock of modern children's lifestyles.
It's called a Wii.
I'm a Wendy's sort of guy anyway...
It's the parents who buy the happy meals and the 12-pack sodas.
It's the parents who buy the video games, too.
Ah... it's wonderful how big food corporations point the finger than blame their customers...
I'm a Jack-In-The-Box fellow, myself. Ciabatta sammiches. :3
So it's NOT video games fault. It's the fault of progress and growth. Cut down forests and parks and other green areas to build more malls and... McDonalds... and there are fewer places for kids to go and play and socialize. Ok Mr. CEO, sounds great...
MORATORIUM ON BUILDING NEW MALLS AND MCDONALDS FOR THE NEXT 50 YEARS!
Hey, ya wanna save the green spaces don't ya? Even better:
LIMIT THE NUMBER OF MCDONALDS PER CITY WITH A POPULATION OVER 50,000 TO 2. TEAR DOWN THE OTHERS AND BUILD A PARK.
Works for me.
Nightwng2000
NW2K Software
1 of these 3 don't add calories to your diet causing obesity. Care to hazard a gues which Mcdonalds/Pepsi?
Ultimately, it's up to people themselves to watch what they eat and get some exercise . Challenging though it may be.
I was thinking the same thing. Too much video game playing has as much to do with it as the fat-filled happy meals we feed our children. Everyone is to blame here, stop pointing the finger McDonalds.
I wonder how much research went in to this ...
CEO: Hey Bill kids play video games right?
BILL (Marketing Head): Yeah boss.
CEO: Well there you go, those bastards are making our kids fat not our delicious well balanced meal of lard.
Looks like McDonalds is trying to pull a Hitler by trying to throw video games in the incenerator of controversey.
-McDonalds
That's what I get from this article.
Oh come on! Did you have to invoke Godwin's law this early into the discussion? Reallly?
You win! It's a person's lifestyle that affects obesity or lack thereof. Personally, I'm trying to workout more and eat less to shave off a few pounds and build muscle. Video games, McDonald's, and even a book could potentially make a person fat if that's all they ever do. It's all about self-control.
Triple points for catching Godwin's law!
Truth of childhood obesity: Calories eaten > Calories worked off in exercise and daily routine.
McDonalds, or any, food: increases calories eaten
Sedentary activity (TV, Games, Movies): minimal calories worked off.
It isn't complex at all! Either eat less, exercise more, or do both!
Then there’s a lifestyle element: there’s fewer green spaces and kids are sat home playing computer games on the TV when in the past they’d have been burning off energy outside."
Is it just me, or did paragraph 2 do a complete 180 from paragraph 1's point that obesity is a complex, multi-faceted problem?
He makes it sound like you need large, green fields to have any sort of fun. What about fitness gyms or indoor sports centers?
I'm not sure exactly, but I think the clinical definition of "obese" is having a higher percentage of body fat higher than the recommended about.
Like, 8-14% is recommended for men, and 20-21% for women. 10% above either range is considered obese.
Back to McDonald's for me!
I can understand that a company of that size to have spin doctors but to try to put across a lie that blantant is.... just impressive. So its the games? So if we gamers all boycotted Fast Food we could still be at risk of being super-sized? Lets try that.
The thing that gets me is they are dependant on people buying their heart-attack on a bun. So, hhmmm lets alienate gamers (there are ALOT of us) so we no longer eat there. Such sound wisdom. Better to try to walk against the current in a flood.
Maybe they didn't know this.... but...
There are *in fact* fat people who don't play video games or eat McDonalds.
I believe fat people existed before either and will continue to exist even if all video games and fast food is banned.
And so what? If someone wants to be fat - why isn't it their right to?
Ages ago, it was what the 'rich and trendy' did - was get fat. Now it's all about skinny people.
People, in general are such SUCKERS for fads and follow rich people around, trying to do what they do like lil' puppies. It's laughable. To those who feel they must 'follow the establishment' - I say: GET A LIFE.
God - if there's one thing I've ALWAYS hated it's a fad or a trend. I go against them just for the point of it.
WTF? Please to be knowing what you are talking about before you bash it.
Anyways, not to repeat what everyone else has said here, but parental responsibility and all that. Video games can't make you fat unless you're already eating high-fat foods, so don't buy them. If your kids aren't already exercising and you want (to force) them to, drag them to the playground or sign them up for a sports team. Otherwise, even if you take away the console, they'll still just sit around and...maybe watch TV! Or surf the Internet! But of course THOSE sedentary activities could never have anything to do with obesity!
Stan: All right, so how do I join you?
Goth Kid: If you wanna be one of the non-conformists, all you have to do is dress just like us and listen to the same music we do.
First of all, weight is set by genetics and life style. many of you pointed this out and it's correct to say that if you take in more than you work off you will gain weight.
Second of all, genetics is a bigger factor. A person's appetite is determined by their brain anatomy, therefore, desire to eat and the amount of weight gained is past the realm of just playing too many games. Likewise, each person has a physiological 'set point' which is the given range their weight will usually stay within given a proper diet. If a person is getting fat it's because all of these factors are working against them.
Third, is the kind of chemicals used in McDonald's food. The amount of preservatives, chemicals, and the use of MSG make them increasingly dangerous to your health just because the stuff is practically garbage on a bun. Garbage in garbage out. Not to mention the addictive properties of MS that makes McDonald's food more hazardous than they'd admit.
I fully agree with you :) .
'addictive properties of MS...'
??? not sure what MS is or how McDonald's can be considered addictive. I'm definitely in the willpower camp. if the kids don't care that they are fat, then they will continue to be fat. although it raises the cost of health insurance, i can't get too worked up about their (defacto) choice to be obese.
I think he was talking about MSG but made a typo.
January 9th, 2008 at 7:28 am
One word:
Genetics.
*sits back*
lol
has any1 here seen the movie supersize me? Its about a fit and healthy guy who eats mc donalds for 1 month nothing else(cant remember if he makes it all the way through) but at the end his arteries are more clogged than the drain in your tube after giving your dog a bath
(you can find the whole thing on google vids if your interested)