Sweet, sweet irony.

"kids are sat home playing computer games on the TV when in the past they’d have been burning off energy outside."

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.

"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."

It's called a Wii.

I'm a Wendy's sort of guy anyway...

@ Twin-Skies

I'm a Jack-In-The-Box fellow, myself. Ciabatta sammiches. :3

McDonalds and pepsi? hmmmm...;)

"...there’s fewer green spaces ..."

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

Eh, they're still butthurt that M.C. Kids flopped.

@Lovely

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.

Damn, I'd love to have a cheeseburger while I go play Mass Effect.

"Video games make kids fat, we don't."

-McDonalds

That's what I get from this article.

I guess blaming video games for everything is the new "it" thing in England :/

This story is almost identical to the one a week or so ago about soda makers pointing the blame stylus at video games. Both articles had a quote saying childhood obesity was a "complex" problem. "Complex" in this context means "I'm not a dietician and don't really know."

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!

" 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."

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?

@Gameboy:

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.

Dammit DDR, I thought you were my friend!

Back to McDonald's for me!

Fucking. Hell.

The Irony (and bullshit) is strong with Mickie Dee's.

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.

Actually - lack of self control causes one to be overweight.
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.

"kids are sat home playing computer games on the TV"

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!

McDonald's shouldn't be one to speak about the ills of video games and combined junk food diet, because they made a deal with Wayport and Nintendo to allow people to play their Nintendo DSes with wi-fi access. They will have to drop their wi-fi deal with Nintendo if their argument against sedentary gaming lifestyles would hold even a drop of water.

@Overcast:

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.

If McDonald's were a legitimate food company then this would be your basic argument, but there's a few other factors involved that a lot of you have over-looked.

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.

Video games? The real culprit is books. All those kids sitting around reading Harry Potter are nothing but future fatties.

Mmmmmm kangaroo meat...

Kajex Says:

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)

What's that saying about people in glass houses?

I rest my case.

Hm. Their right, i should eat McDonalds every time i feel the urge to play video games. You know, to stay healthier.

*headdesk*

that claim is about as firm as the stay puft marshmellow mans dick while he is in the presence of his grand mother

Well it's wrong for them to shift blame.

But the way I see it is that places like BK and McDonalds should be visited sparingly...it's "treat" not a full course diet to eat at every other day.

That is how we have obcessity problems because people eat at these places often.

well, I think we can all (mostly) agree that this is a pathetic attempt to foist blame off of themselves in this issue that is (as they themselves said) a complex issue with a multitude of causes that are unique to any given case. People who are more active burn more calories, true, but someone who is active, yet overeats, may gain more weight than someone who is less active, but eats right for their lifestyle. Anyway, this point has been beaten into the ground. What is more alarming to me is to take a step back (as some people started to do) and look at the trend of blaming everything in sight on video games. This is just one more example of someone jumping on the bandwagon. From police chiefs to lawmakers, businessmen, politicians, lawyers, governors, video games are something that are attacked out of ignorance. The Wisconsin state senator who proposed a video game specific tax did so out of ignorance of the current state of video games. He still believed video games to be a childrens toy, not a growing industry where the average gamer is at least in their late 20's, or older (I don't actually know the statistic off the top of my head either). Politicians don't seem to understand how big of a voting demographic gaming adults are, either. And companies such as McDonalds don't seem to realize that video games aren't just a "get out of jail free" card on every social woe they have been implicated in. I'll stop now, but I really do hate everyone blaming video games for everything.

So far, here's the (spell-checked) recap of what the more talkative people have been saying. I totally agree with these people, not just in opinion but intelligence; they've done their homework, when McD's has NOT. You'll notice there isn't a single person on this page who's actually agreeing with what's in the article; literally 100% are bashing it, and rightfully so.

...
Monkeythumbs said:
" “kids are sat home playing computer games on the TV when in the past they’d have been burning off energy outside.”

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. "

...
Haruko said:
" That is easily the most ridiculous claim I’ve ever seen. The only link between gaming and obesity I can see are POSSIBLY obsessive MMOers who sit and snack on chocolate and fizzy drinks constantly. That’s only a tiny populations of gamers however. McDs focuses advertising on kids, and its pathetic healthy eating stace was a flop seeing as their salads are packed full of fats, salts and sugars. As for kids sitting in and playing video games, that’s because of social paranoia - parents not allowing their kids to go outside to play in fear of a host of stupid things. Oh dear god why are they making such stupid attempts to blame all of society’s problems on Video Games?! "

...
Nightwng2000 said:
“…there’s fewer green spaces …”

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

...
Lovely said:
Honestly it’s a combination of factors (and yes, that can include video gaming and tv watching.) For everyone trying to place the blame on ONE thing is silly.

Ultimately, it’s up to people themselves to watch what they eat and get some exercise . Challenging though it may be.

...
Thomas P said:
@Lovely

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 McDonald's.

...
Ben Yaka said:
Finding a scapegoat and blaming all the problems one causes on the scapegoat…..

Looks like McDonald's is trying to pull a Hitler by trying to throw video games in the incinerator of controversy.

...
Lovely said:
@ Ben Yaka
Oh come on! Did you have to invoke Godwin’s law this early into the discussion? Really?

...
Gameboy said:
@ Lovely

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!

...
Robb G said:
This story is almost identical to the one a week or so ago about soda makers pointing the blame stylus at video games. Both articles had a quote saying childhood obesity was a “complex” problem. “Complex” in this context means “I’m not a dietitian and don’t really know.”

Truth of childhood obesity: Calories eaten > Calories worked off in exercise and daily routine.

McDonald's, 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!

...
Twin-Skies said:
” 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.”

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?

...
Demontestament said:
So video games make kids fat and McDonald's is perfectly a-ok? Once again another company tries to place the blame on the scapegoat instead of where it belongs. The Parents. But then again when you have the same lazy parents coming in every day to buy their brat dinner are you really going to chance them getting pissed off and taking their money elsewhere?

...
Overcast said:
Actually - lack of self control causes one to be overweight.
Maybe they didn’t know this…. but…

There are *in fact* fat people who don’t play video games or eat McDonald's.

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.

...
JustChris said:
McDonald’s shouldn’t be one to speak about the ills of video games and combined junk food diet, because they made a deal with Wayport and Nintendo to allow people to play their Nintendo DSes with Wi-Fi access. They will have to drop their Wi-Fi deal with Nintendo if their argument against sedentary gaming lifestyles would hold even a drop of water.

...
ChrowX said:
If McDonald’s were a legitimate food company then this would be your basic argument, but there’s a few other factors involved that a lot of you have over-looked.

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.

...
Andrew Eisen said:
Of course, to be fair, McDonald's isn’t the cause of childhood obesity either.

It’s parents who allow their kids eat enormous amounts of fast food every day.

...
LightWarrior said:
Well it’s wrong for them to shift blame.

But the way I see it is that places like BK and McDonald's should be visited sparingly…it’s “treat” not a full course diet to eat at every other day.

That is how we have obesity problems because people eat at these places often.

...
Muninn said:
well, I think we can all (mostly) agree that this is a pathetic attempt to foist blame off of themselves in this issue that is (as they themselves said) a complex issue with a multitude of causes that are unique to any given case. People who are more active burn more calories, true, but someone who is active, yet overeats, may gain more weight than someone who is less active, but eats right for their lifestyle. Anyway, this point has been beaten into the ground. What is more alarming to me is to take a step back (as some people started to do) and look at the trend of blaming everything in sight on video games. This is just one more example of someone jumping on the bandwagon. From police chiefs to lawmakers, businessmen, politicians, lawyers, governors, video games are something that are attacked out of ignorance. The Wisconsin state senator who proposed a video game specific tax did so out of ignorance of the current state of video games. He still believed video games to be a children's toy, not a growing industry where the average gamer is at least in their late 20’s, or older (I don’t actually know the statistic off the top of my head either). Politicians don’t seem to understand how big of a voting demographic gaming adults are, either. And companies such as McDonald's don’t seem to realize that video games aren’t just a “get out of jail free” card on every social woe they have been implicated in. I’ll stop now, but I really do hate everyone blaming video games for everything.

...
Kudos & credits to:
Monkeythumbs
Haruko
Nightwng2000
Lovely
Thomas P
Ben Yaka
Gameboy
Robb G
Twin-Skies
Demontestament
Overcast
JustChris
ChrowX
Andrew Eisen
LightWarrior
Muninn

If this whole page of comments gets a news story based on the validity of the comments, we'll all probably die laughing at McDonald's stupidity.

@Lovely

How come nobody ever told me of this law?

I'll say it again, ever hear of Dance Dance Revolution?

hmm interesting stance for Mc D's I wonder whats their stance on building resturants near (translation: across the street from) schools?
the equasion Mc D's trying to sell:
video games = tubby

however the equasion should look like something like this:
+ little movement = tubby
see how bad dietary choices come first?

You know, reading books only promotes a sedentary lifestyle. That's right. If you read a book, you're only staying inside rather than exercising and burning calories outdoors in a sunbathed green field.

A bookworm is 68% more likely to grow overweight.
(Statistic source: out of my ass)

/End Sarcasm.

Maybe gamers should boycot Mcdonalds... I know that I'll refuse to eat there for at least a while.

It's not videogames to blame either, just the lack of excersize.

Where's Dr. McNinja when you need him?

Uh Kris.. when can we see JT becoming an hero? Normally his lose of license would be enough, but you did say anything.

@Kris.

Okay. Who's going to win the next Superbowl?

Yeah, um... no?

Maybe I'm doing it wrong but you don't EAT a video game or console. Despite the cute Asian chick on Kotaku eating a DS.

"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."

He means to say....

Then there’s a lifestyle element: there’s fewer green spaces and kids are sat home playing computer games on the TV when they could be eating our food at our restaurants, getting fatter than doing something constructive with their brains.

Hm, last time I checked... games do not clog my arteries...

I wonder... If some one is going to sue the game industry for "making them fat". As an American, I can totally see this happening.

ok so here's my two cents..


none of my gamer friends are fat from lack of excersise. one is gennitacally a little chubby, but he's healthy ( ive never seen him eating more than an ounce of sweets or fatty foods at a time) and another id diabetic ( also genitacally). in fact, most of us would rather eat a bowl of rice than a big mac. and have any of these people acounted for kids with light sensitive eyes, or kids who are so allergic to outdoor materials that they get an excrucating sinus headache after 1 hour of outside Play? im sorry, but it hurts everytime i go outside, i have a tendancy to turn the brightness on computers and tvs down, and it works for me. and i do play mmo's , and i never had more than 1 sprite for a 12 hour playing marathon.

PC world has also taken this into perspective.
http://blogs.pcworld.com/gameon/archives/006257.html

Some dude named bob said...
"that claim is about as firm as the stay puft marshmellow mans dick while he is in the presence of his grand mother"

WAY TO RIP OFF ZERO PUNCTUATION.

Anyway, being a fatass teenager myself, I have to agree with Lovely. It's up to us to make our own decisions for our lifestyle. I'm playing DDR again, and I now have a dog, which I'm starting to walk everyday. Also, my parents are helping me find healthier food choices.

BTW, McDonalds can shut up. Their food makes me feel like I have a stomach virus after I eat it. I go to Subway now.

Uhhh...
For all of your answers....


I plead the fif.

NO MORE QUESTIONS!