Why do people blame McDonald's for making them fat?

Question

I found this website that was talking all this crap about mcdonalds saying that it was unhealthy and causes obesity and should be shut down. But why? Mcdonalds may not be all that healthy but it only causes people to get fat if they eat too much of it. They always said Mcdonalds make them fat, its their fault for shoving Big Macs to their mouth everyday. If you don't like it, don't go there

Answer 1

I agree. I don't believe in displacing blame. McDonalds does have salads, and they are quite good. I think McDonalds is a scapegoat for blame, because they are a very well known name.

Answer 2

Because they made it seem like you were getting value for your "meal", when what you were really getting was an insane amount of sugar and fat.

If you go to the nutrition page on the McDonalds website and see the calories and the ingredients, you'll notice that there's a lot of empty calories in the bun itself, and that fries barely have potato...but there's a staggering amount of sugar in the buns, in the fries, in the sauce, in the ketchup...high fructose corn syrup, which some studies believe is behind the diabetes epidemic. This is also a possibility of why kids can be hyperactive. Add lack of activity... more internet, less running around outdoors, and it's a recipe for disaster.

This ties into 2 income families who are in the routine of fast food as the norm, not the exception.

Some parents still go to the Golden Arches, but they're substituting the buns and using low sodium or sugar free ketchup. Fries... I won't be surprised if we see sweet potato fries. I've tried them and they're pretty good. Not that much healthier but definitely better than the fries at McDs.

But McDonalds has tried to remedy some of that, and a lot of fitness experts see no problem with some of their breakfasts. Not the McGriddle though.

But as long as people are ignorant about nutrition, the epidemic will continue to climb.

Answer 3

It is easier to blame McDonalds than to take the fork out of their mouth and drop the hamburger from their sausage like fingers and get some exercise and eat a well balance meal. It is alot more expensive to eat healthy, but look at the cost you will pay in the long run for eating junk. Places like this were not meant to be the staple of your diet like they are now, they were meant for once a month fun just like when I was a kid.

Next thing you know someone will sue Avon or Mary Kay because they are ugly...

Answer 4

I'm reading through the answers that people have responded with and while I agree with them -- it's easier to deflect blame on others than to take responsibility for your own actions -- here's to playing devil's advocate and to give you some food for thought (no pun intended):

While people make their own decisions and as a consequence are accountable for these actions, it should also be noted that major corporations (that rake in billions of dollars a year) should have some sense of social responsibility. McDonald's spend millions on advertising, particularly on the children to reel them in and get them "hooked" while they are young and impressionable (i.e. Happy Meals and the playland that invites kids to eat and play!). This is why they take the rap for the heat even when there are dozens of fastfood chains out there (Wendy's, Jack-in-the-Box, Carl's Jr, Burger King, etc). McDonald's was the first to mass brand and market to children and sell their products as family friendly and wholesome. You can't tell me the media and marketing has no control over you. It's a very powerful entity. That's why you drive the car you do, buy new clothes to impress people you don't know, starve yourself to look beautiful, own all sorts iThings...in some aspects, the effect they have on you is quite uncontrollable.

Answer 5

I wrote a research paper in college about this once. I'ts absolutely insane, people have won lawsuits over crap like this. McDonald's could put a huge sign up in front of every restaurant
saying "don't eat here, it will make you fat, and you will probably die at a young age from a heart attack." and people would still eat there. The big underlying factor here is money, people want money, and they will look for a way to make money off of their fat a**es.

Answer 6

I agree. It is not McDonalds fault. If the person is an adult then he or she has the right to eat whatever he or she wantes and it is up to that person to research what they are putting in their body. McDonalds once a week won't hurt. Moderation is the key but a lot of people don't get that.

Answer 7

Some years ago, there was a Documentary Film called "Super Size Me". The director did an experiment on himself eating only at Mc Donald's all meals a day, for a whole month. Before, he was in excellent shape and health condition, after that, he gained a lot of weight, and his heart and overall health was declining, in just 1 month!!.... I think this proved the kind of food that was served at that time.
After this film, Mc Donald have modified some of its menu and I think is more healthy now. In the end it's everyone's responsibility to look after themselves...

Answer 8

McDonald's doesn't make people fat. People's choices make them fat. I eat at McDonalds, but I get the sliced apples or a fruit & yogurt parfait. If I want a burger i only get the normal hamburger.

I'm skinny and I eat at McDonalds. People need to take responsiblity for their own choices.

You knew how you got fat, you were there!

Answer 9

They say this because Mc Donalds has the most unhealthy things in there food. People knowing this gives them something to blame their obesity on. I think the only one to blame is therselves because they have a choice to eat what they do and dont. Its not a manditory choice people have to make.

Answer 10

People do that because they need to blame their faults on something and for the obese its always the unhealthy foods

Answer 11

Dear, you have said a mouthful in saying, "If you don't like it, don't go there!" Unfortunately, our society today has turned into one of lack of self-discipline, lack of self-accountability, lack of principles and scapegoating. Often, today if people are feeling badly about themselves and their lives, they will choose to blame OTHERS for their problems. The people feeling badly should closely examine THEMSELVES and THEIR lives...the answers lie that closely to home.

It's a sad state of affairs to turn the channels on television today and see all of the talk shows featuring persons who blame OTHERS for their own sad lives. It's a crying shame and doesn't speak nicely of our society.

The good news is that more and more persons today are waking up and taking responsibility for their own actions and choices. Also, more and more persons are looking out for others...volunteerism is booming. So, hopefully this positive path will swing the barometer of societal ethics the other way.

Thank you for your thought-provoking question. Glad to be of service, dear!