Are Kids "McBranded or just McLazy"?

Question

I was reading this article on Y! and just had a though and wanted to see if anyone agrees....

Why do these "healthy kids" activists always go after fast food companies but you never hear about them confronting TV or video game makers. Are kids really getting too much fast food or not enough exercise??
I feel it's a mixture of both. I think the fast food that their mom has to pick up on her way home from work wouldn't be so harmful if kids (and adults for that matter) got some exercise instead of spending all day in front of the TV or game system.

What do you think??

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070806/hl_nm/kids_fastfood_dc

Answer 1

I agree with you 100%. Its definitely a combination of both. There was just as many fast food places when I was growing up as there are now - and my generation was not as obese as children nowadays. The difference is - I spent my childhood pretty much outdoors. Just playing, running around, playing sports, etc. We had longer recesses at school, and more PE. All this is lacking with kids these days.

Frankly, I think the activists should go after the parents. its the parents that have control over this, while the children are living in the house. Everything in moderation is fine. Its the parents responsibility to ensure their kids are eating healthy and getting enough exercise, in my opinion.

Answer 2

well the studies found that kids think that things tasted better when they were in a McDonald's wrapper, even the same carrots, what does that tell you?
People have been going after video games forever, just cuz we are not hearing about it now does not mean that they are not, its just getting to be a boring subject for most. And people all the time are complaining about people using the TV As a baby sitter and such, to me, its not the fast food industry's fault, nor TVs or video games, its the parents that allow the children to sit in front of TV, play games (i think the wii is OK, since the person actually has to be standing and moving to play) and eat nothing but fast food. If we want healthy kids then we have to do something about it, make healthy foods, limit TV times, set up activity time, and not slip on it. I know its hard but if we want healthy un lazy children its something we are really gonna have to work at.

From the looks of it, the people who actually want to work at keeping their kids healthy are getting thumbs down, do you want to make your kids fat from letting them do whatever they heck they want and eat whatever they want? Or do you just want to blame fast food?

Answer 3

I think it's a shame, but you can't blame the fast food, the tv or the video games. Blame the parents!!! They are the ones providing each of those without better alternatives.
I have kids who can choose TV and fast food as they want, but they don't want it all that much because it's not limited. So the question we ask ourselves is, what are kids going through to make them desire this stuff soooo strongly?

For those who work full time, it's called a crockpot. it's just as easy to start one in the morning (takes less than ten minutes, esp if you put everything in the night before and keep it in the fridge) as it is to spend 20 minutes in the drive through after work.

Answer 4

I think both lack of exercise and fast food are a problem with today's youth. I really don't think that fast food once in a while, when balanced with otherwise healthy meals, is going to harm anyone but I do hate to see kids zoned out in front of a playstation on a beautiful summer day. If junior is out exercising all day but his parents are only bringing home fast food, it is going to be a problem.

Answer 5

Very few families can live on one income, so both parents have to work, and not many want to come home after work and battling traffic to cook a meal, The answer is KFC or Mickey D. So many parents too use the TV, computer or game systems as baby sitters.

As far as blaming fast food restaurants and such is concerned, it's always easier to blame somebody else than to take responsibility yourself.

Answer 6

I agree completely! It's not exactly hard to get kids moving, they'll do it naturally if they're let!
However, I do have to say I hate the fast food! After years of looking after and teaching kids, I see the effects poor diet and nutrition, along with the impact that all those additives has on learning, thinking and behaviour!
Definitely with you on this one though.

Answer 7

Genetics is the leading cause of obesity.

some people...can eat an entire pepperoni pizza and lose 5 pounds (i'm one of those people). Some people smell pepperoni and get fatter.

Exercise and diet can help to shape your body contrary to what your genetics have planned for you, but your genetics ultimately decides just how much of a chore that is going to be for you.

Also....what exactly is "healthy". Being skinny doesn't make you healthy. Being "plump" doesn't make you unhealthy. I define healthy as happy. If i'm happy with my body, i'm healthy regardless of what anyone else thinks..

Now we get to those 5%'ers who have the ability to be in the average weight target for their frame...but they abuse food and become obese by sitting in front of the tv as you said. These people are helpless. No amount of activism against video games, tv, or fast food..is going to change their lifestyle. Eventually people need to realize they have to be responsible for themselves and their children.

When my kids are old enough I plan on getting them involved in any activity they choose with regard to healthy exercise.....and video games will have a time limit. My kids probably won't be fat, because they aren't genetically inclined to be...and with a normal somewhat active lifestyle they should be happy and thus healthy.

Answer 8

I think it's both. Some parents just don't care.

What I don't understand it why they are going after the food companies.

Who do you think brings their kids there?

How do you think the kids get the food?

I think the REAL people they should be blaming is the parents.

Answer 9

It's easier to attack the fast food companies than it is the parents that feed them that junk..

Answer 10

I just read that! It is disgusting what our society is coming to.