Prince Charles suggests banning McDonalds

[Pam]

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/2/...ectid=10426356

In light of the story of the 200 lb. eight year old currently in the news, (story here): http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/heal...p?newsid=63864 Prince Charles suggests banning McDonalds. What a simplistic approach to childhood obesity. It's amazing to me that he would make such a statement. He obviously doesn't have any grasp of the complexity of the situation. Does he think that children can actually drive themselves to their favorite fast food restaurant? Are the parents without blame? What about other restaurants? Recently several have come under attack for the ridiculously high calories and fat contained in their food and are making changes. I think any school age child can see that there is more to this problem than just McDonalds. I am glad this guy hasn't been put in charge of the world's problems.

[cyber-sibes]

I am glad this guy hasn't been put in charge of the world's problems.

...YET! Now that's a scarey thought. Maybe they issue dirivers liscenses to 8-yr.olds in Britain. Just joking

Childhood obesity is a growing problem (pardon the pun), and part of it is the amazing access to junk food kids have, including out of the home when their parents aren't around. It's much easier to get hold of fat-laden high calorie food when you go out than it is to get a fresh apple. Seems like there are vending machines for pop & chips at every corner gas station, convenience store, and in front of many shopping stores like Wally world - they're all lined up across the front of the store. "Got milk?" anyone?

I don't know what happened to educating your kids about nutrition, parents seem to have abandoned the idea that you can actually influence your kid's diet. Marketing, marketing, marketing...Maybe if they started to offer a prize with every meal a la McD's, kids would be happy to eat at home?

[Pembroke_Corgi]

I don't now what happened to educating your kids about nutrition, parents seem to have abandoned the idea that you can actually influence your kid's diet. Marketing, marketing, marketing...Maybe if they started to offer a prize with every meal a la McD's, kids would be happy to eat at home?

The problem is the parents are even fatter than the children in most cases!! How can we expect children to stay fit when 2/3 of adults are overweight or obese?? We ALL need to eat better and exercise more. It's everyone's problem- and I think parents need to set better examples as well as monitor their child's food and activity.

[Grace]

I saw some news coverage of this kid. Did you see the plate that his mother served him? Not one piece of green - it was all brown and white and swimming in gravy. No wonder he's morbidly obese.

Charles, at least, has a suggestion, a starting place. That kids mother seems to think it's perfectly fine to serve her kid food loaded with calories, carbs and fat.

[Marigold2]

I think what the Prince did was a good start. It gets people thinking. If parents don't go to MCD maybe they will do something healthier. I believe part of the problem is TV and video games. Kids used to go out and play, running, playing freeze tag, playing on the swings, going sledding, playing baseball, football. Now they sit in front of the TV and eat, the only thing moving is their mouth and thumbs. The schools really need to change their menu, school menus are awful. And how about an hour of PT, whats wrong with making track a must in school?

[sparks19]

never mind school menus.... what happened to packing a lunch?

And didn't ya hear.... Tag is a game of exclusion and violence How can a school ban TAG? It's sad. NOT that I am blaming schools what so ever for the obesity problem in kids. I remember going for bike rides with my parents as a family.... I can't remember the last time I saw parents going for a bike ride with their kids.

[Puckstop31]

The problem is the parents are even fatter than the children in most cases!! How can we expect children to stay fit when 2/3 of adults are overweight or obese?? We ALL need to eat better and exercise more. It's everyone's problem- and I think parents need to set better examples as well as monitor their child's food and activity.

Look at that! We agree on something.

Children are their PARENTS responsibility. Period.

[caseysmom]

never mind school menus.... what happened to packing a lunch?

And didn't ya hear.... Tag is a game of exclusion and violence How can a school ban TAG? It's sad. NOT that I am blaming schools what so ever for the obesity problem in kids. I remember going for bike rides with my parents as a family.... I can't remember the last time I saw parents going for a bike ride with their kids.

We go for bike rides all the time...as do many families in our neighborhood.

[Puckstop31]

That kids mother seems to think it's perfectly fine to serve her kid food loaded with calories, carbs and fat.

Pray we never have socialized medicine in the US. If we do, WE have to pay for this kids heart disease when he is 30, because of his own stupid choices.

Personal responsibility.... PERSONAL being key.

[sparks19]

We go for bike rides all the time...as do many families in our neighborhood.

GOOD I love that. that was always one of my favourite things to do as a kid. go for a bike ride with my family. We always had so much fun. I never see that around here

[caseysmom]

Well you'll have to change that when you have your baby

[Miss Z]

I'm not Prince Charles's biggest fan, but I think at least he's thinking about ways to combat the situation. McDs, Burger Kings, and all the other greasebowls are popping up everywhere in the UK. I live almost on the borderline of farmland countryside, and it would take me about 10-15 mins to walk to the nearest fast food 'restaurant'. No need for any driving there.

We need to drastically reduce the amount of processed food available in supermarkets more than anything else, because it's just too convenient for people's own good. Burgers that are ready in less than two minutes are a god-send for mothers working full time and are tired, and it's what the kids will happily eat. This becomes routine and that's where the problems lie. I think a complete change of lifestyle is in order for obese families, not necessarily just the food they eat.

The schools really need to change their menu, school menus are awful.

Hehe, yes, well they used to be. After Jamie Oliver's campaign that was a massive success throughout the UK, school meals have become so much more varied and healthier, or at least most have. That is the sort of action that needs to be taken!

[sparks19]

Well you'll have to change that when you have your baby

LOL I will Although.... I will have to get a new bike since every bike I own gets stolen LOL.... I need to invest in better locks lol.

[Miss Z]

I saw some news coverage of this kid. Did you see the plate that his mother served him? Not one piece of green - it was all brown and white and swimming in gravy. No wonder he's morbidly obese.

I agree, it was revolting. It seems the whole family had some serious issues, a lack of a father and the mother had some sort of depression. Some days she would never get out of bed or bother sending the boy to school. Now, if they don't need counselling, no-one does.

Pray we never have socialized medicine in the US. If we do, WE have to pay for this kids heart disease when he is 30, because of his own stupid choices.

Personal responsibility.... PERSONAL being key.

I hope he goes private!

[mike001]

I don't know if Prince Charles was that misguided. Out here there's talk of raising the tax for anyone eating at a fast food junk outlet and it's a start. If people are forced to dish out double the tax on the food they might consider it cheaper to eat at a healthier place.