McDonald's Threatened with Lawsuit

In an effort to persuade McDonald’s to pull toys from their Happy Meals, the Center for Science in the Public Interest sent the fast food behemoth a letter warning of a potential lawsuit if they do not comply with their request.

The group contends that the toys undermine parental authority and encourage children to order salt and fat laden fare, ultimately contributing to the childhood obesity epidemic.

McDonald’s fought back, defending Happy Meals by citing downsized portions appropriate for young children, as well as a choice of apple slices over French fries, an offering that has been an option since 2008.

Earlier this week, Food Consumer reported on a study conducted by Yale University that demonstrates that children are more attracted to foods that are packaged with some of their favorite cartoon characters, regardless of nutritional value.

No matter the source, no one can argue that childhood obesity is a health crisis.  The Centers for Disease Control offers the following tips for parents and childcare professionals to help stem the prevailing tide:

*Look for ways to make favorite dishes healthier.  Many recipes can be just as tasty with a few modifications that will make them more healthy.

*Remove Calorie-rich temptations.  Although the CDC emphasizes that treats can certainly be enjoyed in moderation, they also remind parents that they are ultimately in control of how much and how often those treats are provided.

*Look for creative ways to introduce more fruits and vegetables into your child’s diet.  Beth C., a mother of five, shreds carrots and “hides” them in her children’s spaghetti sauce.

*Help Kids Stay Active.  Maintaining a healthy weight is a matter of simple mathematics.  In order to keep weight gain at bay, it’s imperative to not consume more calories than we burn.  Encouraging physical activity is the easiest way to make sure the odds are in your child’s favor.