Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Poor Children are More Prone to Eat Junk Food
I live in Congress Heights, a blighted community that just two years ago got our first grocery store. Before IHop opened last year, we had no sit-down restaurants and our choices for food was relegated to Popeyes or Chinese carry-outs. Three years ago, our first Subway opened on Martin Luther King Ave.
Still there is a dearth of quality, wholesome food in our area which explains why low income people eat more unhealthy and have more health problems than the upper class?
There are many reasons that contribute to this vast separation:
Food Deserts:
As mentioned, there are many areas that simply are not serviced by grocery stores, let alone healthy food. A food desert is any area that is not serviced by a grocery store or Mom and Pop store that sells healthy food within walking distance or reasonable commute distance.
Income:
We all know that fast food is cheaper than healthy food. When your budget for food is minuscule, fast food seems to be the winning option.
According to the 2010 US Census, single parents comprise 70 percent of all poor families with children. The US is slowly becoming a two caste system with marriage and education as the line of separation. In the top one-third of the population, children are raised by married parents with a college degree. In the bottom third, children are raised by single parents with no college education.
Convenience:
When both parents are working or when there is only one parent, there is often no one available to prepare meals at home, making fast food a very easy alternative. According to the US Census, among single parent families, 26.6% live in poverty.
Life's Stress and Addiction
According to a March 28, 2010 study in "Nature Neuroscience," fast food is addictive. The study likened the effects of high-calorie fast food to those of cocaine or heroin, in animals.
There are also claims to the structural changes to the brain because of fast-food consumption.
The stress of low-income thus may lead to craving of unhealthy food.
And the effects of childhood obesity can be devastating.
Childhood obesity leads to better chances of obesity as an adult and raises the cost of health insurance for everyone.
So, shall the government fight childhood obesity by regulating fast food? Shall the city step in to regulate the construction of new fast food restaurants in healthy-food deprived areas? How about banning trans-fat oil or even regulating the advertisements that appear to target children.
A July 2010, Rasmussen Poll shows that 36% believe that the government does not regulate fast food enough.
The First Lady has created a healthy campaign targeting childhood obesity called "Let's Move."
The First Lady is also working diligently with Wal-Mart to reduce the amount of sugar, sodium and trans-fat in their food options (without raising the price).
People need help and even reach out to get some. They know ultimately eating better is their choice, but when the odds are stacked against you, we all need to step in and intervene.
When the local DC government started regulating the licenses of liquor stores in Anacostia and Congress Heights, public drunkenness, loitering and crime started decreasing.
 |
| First Lady, Michelle Obama |
Still there is a dearth of quality, wholesome food in our area which explains why low income people eat more unhealthy and have more health problems than the upper class?
There are many reasons that contribute to this vast separation:
Food Deserts:
As mentioned, there are many areas that simply are not serviced by grocery stores, let alone healthy food. A food desert is any area that is not serviced by a grocery store or Mom and Pop store that sells healthy food within walking distance or reasonable commute distance.
Income:
We all know that fast food is cheaper than healthy food. When your budget for food is minuscule, fast food seems to be the winning option.
According to the 2010 US Census, single parents comprise 70 percent of all poor families with children. The US is slowly becoming a two caste system with marriage and education as the line of separation. In the top one-third of the population, children are raised by married parents with a college degree. In the bottom third, children are raised by single parents with no college education.
Convenience:
When both parents are working or when there is only one parent, there is often no one available to prepare meals at home, making fast food a very easy alternative. According to the US Census, among single parent families, 26.6% live in poverty.
Life's Stress and Addiction
According to a March 28, 2010 study in "Nature Neuroscience," fast food is addictive. The study likened the effects of high-calorie fast food to those of cocaine or heroin, in animals.
There are also claims to the structural changes to the brain because of fast-food consumption.
The stress of low-income thus may lead to craving of unhealthy food.
And the effects of childhood obesity can be devastating.
Childhood obesity leads to better chances of obesity as an adult and raises the cost of health insurance for everyone.
So, shall the government fight childhood obesity by regulating fast food? Shall the city step in to regulate the construction of new fast food restaurants in healthy-food deprived areas? How about banning trans-fat oil or even regulating the advertisements that appear to target children.
A July 2010, Rasmussen Poll shows that 36% believe that the government does not regulate fast food enough.
"There is no way that the first lady can or should go into someone's house and tell them what to eat — it doesn't work. It wouldn't work in my household — in fact, I would resent it. But what I do know that parents want is they want help."
-- Michelle Obama
The First Lady has created a healthy campaign targeting childhood obesity called "Let's Move."
The First Lady is also working diligently with Wal-Mart to reduce the amount of sugar, sodium and trans-fat in their food options (without raising the price).
People need help and even reach out to get some. They know ultimately eating better is their choice, but when the odds are stacked against you, we all need to step in and intervene.
When the local DC government started regulating the licenses of liquor stores in Anacostia and Congress Heights, public drunkenness, loitering and crime started decreasing.
Source:
Saturday, February 5, 2011
McDonald's Response from Danya Proud
From: "Proud Danya" <Danya.Proud@us.mcd.com>
Date: Feb 20, 2011 3:55 PM
Subject: RE: Happy Meal Toy Study and Survey
To: "Chito Peppler" <chito.peppler@gmail.com>
Good afternoon,
In response to your inquiry, please find below a statement for your use:
February 16, 2010
MEDIA STATEMENT
“While we share in the desire to find a meaningful solution to the growing problem of kids' health and nutrition, we believe taking away a toy from a kids mealdoes absolutely nothing to improve children’s health, nutrition or well-being.Any fair and objective review of our menu and the actions we’ve taken will demonstrate we’ve been responsible, we’re committed to children’s well being, and we’ll continue to learn and take action for our customers that is guided by science and facts.
We are extremely proud of our Happy Meals which give our youngest guests wholesome food and toys of the highest quality. Getting a toy with a kid's meal is just one part of a fun, family experience at McDonald's.
Public opinion has – and continues to be - overwhelmingly against this idea. It does not reflect what consumers want, nor is it something they asked for.Parents tell us they want to have the right and responsibility to make their own decisions and decide what’s right for their children – not lawmakers.
Banning a toy is not the way to fight obesity or improve children’s well-being. Solutions will come only from education and awareness based on science and fact.”
Danya Proud, Spokesperson
McDonald’s USA
McDonald's Happy Meal Toy Survey
Should McDonald's be allowed to put toys in their Happy Meals? Obesity in children has tripled in the last 30 years. The American Academic of Pediatrics considers advertising to children illegal since they do not have the cognitive capability to understand deceptive marketing.
| DownloadCreate Chart1. McDonald's claim that the Happy Meal does have one healthy option: chicken nuggets, apple dippers, juice and low-fat milk. However, children do not always pick the healthy option. McDonald's claim that their freedom to advertise is protected under the First Amendment. | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| answered question | 58 | ||
| skipped question | 1 | ||
| Response Percent | Response Count | ||
| Including the toy in the Happy Meal is ethical |  | 34.5% | 20 |
| The toy is deceptive marketing but McDonald's should be allowed to include a toy | | 34.5% | 20 |
| The toy is deceptive marketing so McDonalds should NOT be allowed to include it. | | 19.0% | 11 |
| Not sure | | 6.9% | 4 |
| Other (please specify) Show Responses | | 5.2% | 3 |
Friday, February 4, 2011
The Most Influential Man Who Never Lived
He was the most famous man who never lived. The iconic image of this rugged, handsome cowboy riding off in the sunset was indelibly stamped in the hearts and mind of both smokers and does who staunchly opposed it. He was so effective in tugging both the heart strings and pocket strings of people of all ages all over the world and personally responsible for the suffering of millions that he was eventually banned from TV, print and billboards.
In 1999, Marlboro settled a lawsuit agreeing to remove all cowboys from billboard ads. This ended one of the most mythical, successful and hated brand icons in the advertising history.
Leo Burnett, the former Peoria Journal reporter turned advertiser, created the Marlboro man in 1951. The success was astronomical. Marlboro sales increased nearly 3,250% in 1955.
In 1964, Phillip Morris refreshed the image by putting him in mythical Marlboro country. In 1971 cigarette ads were banned from TV, but the vivid image of the rugged cowboy smoking a cigarette endured.Even today if you see a picture of a cowboy riding off in the sunset, you may immediately think of Marlboro Man. In fact, USA Today has ranked him number one in the 101 list of most influential people.
That is because Marlboro has indelibly stamped this rugged image into the hearts and minds of people all over the world.
At least for this generation, the image belongs to them. Marlboro gets free advertising and don't even need to do the work.
For example, if you search for the word "cowboy" in Google, the very first picture that comes up is the one above.
Are Happy Meal Toys Bad for Waistlines?
Should McDonald's be allowed to put toys in their Happy Meals. The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) is suing McDonald's to remove the toys. Claiming that childhood obesity rates have more than tripled in the last 30 years. McDonald's claim that the Happy Meal does have a more healthy option: chicken McNuggets with low fat caramel dip, apple dippers and low fat milk. Still the Washington-based consumer advocacy group stated that many children opt for the less healthy option. Further study shows that McDonald's staff automatically serve the hamburger and fries to the kids without mentioning the healthy option.
Say "No" in Santa Clara
Already, California's Santa Clara County voted in 2010 to ban restaurants from giving away toys with high-calorie meals. The problem with the toys according to the CPSI is that kids will nag parents to get the meals because of the toys.
First Amendment
McDonald's is defending their position based on the First Amendment. However, the CPSI claims that the free speech clause does not give companies a blank check to advertise deceptively to individual groups especially children.
Brilliant Marketing Campaign
Ever since the first Happy Meal was sold in 1979, McDonald's has released thousands of varieties of toys. They also earn advertising revenue by marketing movie and Disney promotions. In 2005, Disney celebrated their 50th Anniversary by releasing a special edition toy comprised of Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto, and others. Today, Happy Meal toys are popular collectors items. A 11-year old kid recently sold his 7,000-piece collection at an auction in England for $11,000 US.
Too Many Empty Calories
A 2006 study by the Journal of Pediatrics shows that the average child consumed up to 165 calories more than needed and some teens took in as many as 1,000 calories more each day than needed. A recent article in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association states that kids are not only eating more, but they are getting empty calories -- food that are high in calories, fat, or sugar, but low in nutrition.
Should Big Government Regulate?
Supporters of consumer advocacy groups state that the government should step in to protect groups against such vices as obesity, smoking, drinking, etc. Marketers in general will try to push their products zealously -- that's their job. The job of consumer advocacy groups and the government is to keep them in check. Thus we should not allow companies to advertise as they wish, right.
Touted for Ethics
Socially Responsible?
Researchers have proof that children are drawn to meals associated with toys.
Exercise is the Antidote
Meanwhile, advocates of McDonald's claim that the best way to fight childhood obesity is more exercise and less time spent watching TV or playing video games.
Should advertising fast food to children be illegal? Certainly, there are many questionable cases. But what is the government's role? The FTC, FCC and BBB already have their hands full of deceptive marketing claims. They cannot tackle every one of them. And when it affects critical issues like childhood obesity, consumer watchdogs and even the American public are now stepping up to the plate to pinch hit.
Already, California's Santa Clara County voted in 2010 to ban restaurants from giving away toys with high-calorie meals. The problem with the toys according to the CPSI is that kids will nag parents to get the meals because of the toys.
First Amendment
McDonald's is defending their position based on the First Amendment. However, the CPSI claims that the free speech clause does not give companies a blank check to advertise deceptively to individual groups especially children.
Brilliant Marketing Campaign
Ever since the first Happy Meal was sold in 1979, McDonald's has released thousands of varieties of toys. They also earn advertising revenue by marketing movie and Disney promotions. In 2005, Disney celebrated their 50th Anniversary by releasing a special edition toy comprised of Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto, and others. Today, Happy Meal toys are popular collectors items. A 11-year old kid recently sold his 7,000-piece collection at an auction in England for $11,000 US.
Too Many Empty Calories
A 2006 study by the Journal of Pediatrics shows that the average child consumed up to 165 calories more than needed and some teens took in as many as 1,000 calories more each day than needed. A recent article in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association states that kids are not only eating more, but they are getting empty calories -- food that are high in calories, fat, or sugar, but low in nutrition.
Should Big Government Regulate?
Supporters of consumer advocacy groups state that the government should step in to protect groups against such vices as obesity, smoking, drinking, etc. Marketers in general will try to push their products zealously -- that's their job. The job of consumer advocacy groups and the government is to keep them in check. Thus we should not allow companies to advertise as they wish, right.
Touted for Ethics
McDonald's touts that it has recently received an A+ rating at the Better Business Bureau for its "proven record of trustworthiness and ethics in its customer-related business practices."
Socially Responsible?
Researchers have proof that children are drawn to meals associated with toys.
They further state that companies are offering these toys as a form of marketing to lure children to purchase the meals.
The key issue here is whether this is deceptive. Because children do not yet have the reasoning to understand unfair marketing. "The American Academic of Pediatrics considers advertising to young children to be inherently deceptive and exploits children under the age of 8 years."Exercise is the Antidote
Meanwhile, advocates of McDonald's claim that the best way to fight childhood obesity is more exercise and less time spent watching TV or playing video games.
Should advertising fast food to children be illegal? Certainly, there are many questionable cases. But what is the government's role? The FTC, FCC and BBB already have their hands full of deceptive marketing claims. They cannot tackle every one of them. And when it affects critical issues like childhood obesity, consumer watchdogs and even the American public are now stepping up to the plate to pinch hit.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)