McDonald's UK's Steve Easterbrook connects video games to childhood obesity |
When games are blamed for the ills of the young, the said groups doing the blaming are often concerned parents, lobbyists, and politicians. Based on this recent report we picked up, we'll also be adding fast food chains.The topic came up during a recent interview with Steve Easterbrook, the UK CEO for the McDonald's franchise. Easterbrook discussed the measures they had taken to "slim down" their menu in light of growing awareness of childhood obesity - a problem often tied in with fast food. Quoting Easterbrook's statement regarding the matter of obesity:
I donÂ’t know who is to blame. 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 thereÂ’s an education piece: how can we better communicate to individuals the importance of a balanced diet and taking care of themselves?
Then thereÂ’s a lifestyle element: there's fewer green spaces and kids are sat home playing computer games on the TV when in the past theyÂ’d have been burning off energy outside.
The Government has a part to play, individuals have a responsibility and so does the food and drink industry. These are the three pillars that need to work together and demonstrate that they have a commitment to solving the issue. WeÂ’re front and centre of the diet piece of the debate and, as a large business with a big influence, it is a responsibility that we accept as a leader in our sector.
Via Times Online
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Comments [refresh]
If that's the case, those Burger King XBOX games must be making kids REAL fatasses!
McD'd needs to look at the food they serve. There is nothing that has any nutritious value. The salad is the worst fattening thing on their menu. blam the right ppl your self.
I know people might hit me for this, but I agree -- there's too many kids eating McDonald's and playing World of Warcraft. South Park got it right in their depiction. Sure, there are a lot of people who play games that are in shape and athletic, but I wouldn't say video games doesn't at least attribute a sizable portion to this obesity epidemic.
That's where I stand, anyway.
If video games are to blame then so are schools for having students sit for so many hours learning, and books for having them to read.
I can't deny that if your sitting on the couch eating junk food that your more likely to play video games then open a book, but I've met more then enough severely obese people to know that few of them play video games but many of them that I've met read and watch a lot of movies.
Wow. A head of one of the hugest culprits for causing obesity pointing the finger.
It's true that sitting in all day playing video games wont bode well for your health. You need a balance of activity with games. However, eating that f'n crap they serve at all puts you 10 steps backwards towards being healthy.
McD's really had no position at all point the finger toward ANYONE for being causes to obesity.
I have been eating fast food almost everyday for like 10 years and I cant gain a damn pound. Some people are just meant to be fat and can get fat off water and crackers.
Because everyone has the extremely high metabolism as you do. To say that certain people are meant to be fat is like saying cancer patients are meant to have cancer if they don't have the immunity.
Have everybody saw that movie 'Super Size Me"?
Why is everybody blaming McDonald's and/or games? Nobody is forcing you to eat their food, and nobody is forcing you to sit down in front of a monitor/television for hours on end.
The government absolutely has no place in any of this. If you want YOUR KIDS (THE ONES YOU CREATED AND ARE RAISING) to avoid obesity, make them participate in physical activities. Take them hiking, camping, fishing, hunting, etc.
Acually your food is much worse than videogames....
Its really the parents fault. Who has the most control over their kids in the years that they form themsevles and what they deem as normal. South Park also hits this one right on the head numerous times. If anyone wants to affect youth, get to the people affect them most.
I agree you can connect video games to childhood obesity, Children Play video games and some are a bit fat. I think the blame is aimed to much at the child, Maybe there should be an advert aimed at parents, simple saying "Parents, don't let them go to Mc' Donalds" or maybe "You should not buy them a games console" (Something Like That).
The federal government is going to combat the evils of slow metabolism and capitalism? Sounds like a great Monty Python sketch.
Easterbrook, I salute your genius.
I hate to sound cruel, but have you ever heard of natural selection?
Part of the reason that there are so many sicknesses out there today is because the people who don't have immunities can be cured, and they live on to pass their genes on to another child. The species as a whole doesn't get stronger.
Of course I'm not saying some people don''t have a right to live, close friends of mine are only here because of modern health care.
And yes, some people are indeed destined to be fat. In fact humans are designed to retain fat in certain situations, as humans from tribal times did not have such a stable eating schedule as us. This leads to genes which, for example, cause a person to never feel full.
However, the most effective way to stay fit is excercise. You can eat fairly badly and still balance it out with the right amount of physical activity.
People like him come up with some bull***** reasons why video games are bad. I'm 24 now and as a kid I did nothing but play video games. So did quite a few of my friends. Hell. I didn't ever exercise or anything either. Currently I only weigh 140 pounds which is definitely not even close to being overweight. So that proves his theory wrong. I can guarantee that there are many more people who have played video games all their life and prove can also prove his theory false.
I could say around 20-30 people I know who played games on a regular basis. Only 2 of them are overweight.
-andrew- -kupomogli-
If you played video games and ate healthy you'd be thin.
If you ate McDonalds' and didn't play video games, you'd probably be fat.
Case Closed.
That McDonald's Promotes Nintendo DS games, so basically there bashing themselves as well, good going morons. I personally haven't eaten mcdonalds for awhile, i only eat McChickens if i go. I mostly go to Checker or Wendy's, since they're better. Besides i play games and work out so im good. Even if its 20 mins a day its still better than none.
If you live in america, you should have the choice to do whatever, and then pay for higher health insurance costs.
As for people getting fat, its a simple thing of people eating too much, they easily tell themselves "I'm full" until its too late.
Most gamers that are inactive could survive on very little since there is little physical activity.
There's my opinion.