How Different Is Ronald McDonald From Joe Camel?

[Shy Tall Guy]

Well, for one, I have yet to see Joe Camel getting some in STG's av lately.

Plus, McDonalds doesn't put nicotine in their hamburgers to make them addictive.

The difference? Some say it is a matter of numbers; 300,000 people a year die from obesity related diseases, 450,000 from tobacco related diseases.

As others have pointed out, we have free will and can make choices. The difference between tobacco and unhealthy food is that tobacco is a hell of a lot more addictive for most people. Does that mean I supported the lawsuits against tobacco product manufacturers? No - but I do recognize that they intentionally made their products addictive, and lied about how harmful they were when they knew better. The act of lying itself makes them liable, the act of intentionally adding substances to make the products more addictive exacerbates that act. The funny thing being that in the long run, had they been honest and upfront, they probably could have beat the lawsuits.

As for fast food sellers - that is a horse of a different color. Besides, anybody who eats at McDonalds deserves what they get; Jack in the Box is much better!

 

[LovetoGiveRoses]

I like your AV STG.

 

[Dillinger]

Re: Higher Premiums

Insurance companies who charge higher premiums should then be required to cover the cost of weight loss programs.

They also will need to recognize that obesity isn't all about American's eating french fries. There are certain genetic factors involved.

The tobacco companies didn't hold a gun to your head either yet they banned cigarette commercials and put heavy taxes on tobacco.

BTW - I agree with you that there are certain genetic factors involved HOWEVER - the number of obese adults has doubled in the past 20 years. Evolution and changes in human DNA happen over millenia, not over decades. The explaination for why obesity has doubled in 20 years, whatever that explaination might be, has nothing to do with genetics.

 

[Dillinger]

I disagree misch..I dont think by putting intake levels on fast food would help a bit. We are a society that wants the easy way out and its much easier to pick up burgers and fries, pizza, whatever on the way home than it is to work 10 hours then still have to make a dinner. The issue is the ease of access and lack of quality time at home. Parents today are frazzled with their hectic schedules then bombarded with time restraints getting little susy to dance class and little timmy to soccer practice. Its all about priorties, and unfortunately that new Lexus or promotion is more important.

It might help - it might not help. But what is the harm in labelling products with what they are. Mishcka is right on the mark about educated consumers. I want to know what's in my computer. I want to know how powerful my microwave is. I want to know if a movie is rated G or R before I let my kids see it. I get nutrition information when I buy food at the supermarket - so why not at restaurants and fast food joints? And why do you think fast food companies are so against it? They know exactly how unhealthy their products are AND they don't want us to know - especially right there at the cash register.

 

[LovetoGiveRoses]

It might help - it might not help. But what is the harm in labelling products with what they are. Mishcka is right on the mark about educated consumers. I want to know what's in my computer. I want to know how powerful my microwave is. I want to know if a movie is rated G or R before I let my kids see it. I get nutrition information when I buy food at the supermarket - so why not at restaurants and fast food joints? And why do you think fast food companies are so against it? They know exactly how unhealthy their products are AND they don't want us to know - especially right there at the cash register.

Actually, they are forced to provide that information. It's posted somewhere in the restaurant and it's on cards too. Ask the next time you go into one of them and they should be able to immediately give you a card. The BK Whopper is a whopper for calories and fat. So are most of the others. Even the chicken sandwiches are full of fat at most places.

 

[cybergirly]

Actually, they are forced to provide that information. It's posted somewhere in the restaurant and it's on cards too. Ask the next time you go into one of them and they should be able to immediately give you a card. The BK Whopper is a whopper for calories and fat. So are most of the others. Even the chicken sandwiches are full of fat at most places.

Yep. The nutritional value charts are almost always posted on the wall right next to the door. And if you ask, they have to supply you with a copy.

I don't think putting a label on the food would make a difference. Everyone knows fast food is not good for them, it's just fast and easy. What we really need more of are healthy fast food alternatives.

 

[Dillinger]

Yes we need alternatives.

But again - there is no harm in putting the label right on the food either, is there? I'm not saying it is the be all and end all of solving the problem - but what could any of you possibly have against it?

Now - I'm truly wondering here - how many of you actually read everything I posted at the beginning of this thread or just skimmed it and responded with your usual habitual reactions to this topic? Because based on some of the responses here I get the feeling that at least a few of you really didn't take it in.

 

[cybergirly]

Yes we need alternatives.

But again - there is no harm in putting the label right on the food either, is there? I'm not saying it is the be all and end all of solving the problem - but what could any of you possibly have against it?

Now - I'm truly wondering here - how many of you actually read everything I posted at the beginning of this thread or just skimmed it and responded with your usual habitual reactions to this topic? Because based on some of the responses here I get the feeling that at least a few of you really didn't take it in.

I read it all. I just think that because of the way society has become depended on fast food it would make little difference. It certainly wouldn't hurt anything, but I don't see it helping either. Public education is what would make a difference. However with Fast Food chains being such big business that's not likely to happen any time in the near future either. Which leaves us with educating ourselves, and our children, which is something we should all be doing to start with.

 

[brisbon]

Ah the potential danger of eating a Big Mack ... I love the rush.

 

[Guest]

I read every word. I'm just tiring of displacement of blame. It is not hard to find the nutritional value of fast food. When I found out I was a diabetic, I was forced to find out this information. It wasn't hard. Everything in moderation, I say. The flab on my body is due to my choice of laziness and overindulgence.

 

[brisbon]

Raindancer you sound very much like a realist ... that can be scary for some nowdays.

 

[Guest]

Really? You may be the first person to ever tell me that.

I don't know. I'm frustrated.

 

[brisbon]

We are all frustrated ... nice to meet you.

 

[teddybear4play]

People in Paris eat richer food that what we have here (though there are lots of McDonalds too - and they do a brisk business also). Even with this, they are far less obese on the average than people from this country. They walk, and they walk, and they walk and they walk. They have beautiful walking boulevards and parks and plazas. Exercise makes a big difference, or maybe it's the red wine

The answer here is sugar. The French eat a lot of tremendously fatty foods, like foie gras. Every one of Julia Child's recipes has liberal amounts of butter, cream, or both.

Where Americans have Snickers and Coke. And the rate of obesity, heart problems, et cetera, is outrageously higher than when the days when most people thought nothing of having bacon and eggs every day for breakfast.

TB4p

 

[Pyper]

One thing I immediately noticed after moving back from Spain is that Americans are fat...disgustingly fat.

Blaming it on genetics isn't going to work here, people. Americans are the fattest nation in the world, and also one of the most genetically varied. If we were a small isolated tribe in the Amazon and we were all fat, this argument would make more sense.

I blame our obesity on two things: bad diet and lack of exercise. And I maintain that changing these things is an incredibly easy thing to do with only the teensiest bit of effort.

You can't cook, so you go out for fast food every night? Cooking takes too long, is too hard, or too tiring? Well, like I found out when deprived of the easy options like fast food and pre-packaged meals...cooking is NOT hard. It's actually easy! Practically every recipe nowadays is designed for the working person on the run...nothing takes over half an hour to prepare, from start to finish. In America, ingredients can all be gotten in one place, and full meals can be done in the microwave. Give it a try people, you'll like it.

Like someone earlier said, the French are skinny because they walk, walk, walk. Americans take their cars EVERYWHERE. Next time, try walking to Wal-mart. You live in the boonies, just take a walk for the fun of it. No one said exercise has to be strenuous or tiring.

And lastly, Americans just need to practice a little bit of self control. The other day at the movies I saw seriously obese people with giant tubs of popcorn and monster drinks. Obese people don't just balloon up all by themselves, they maintain their weight by overeating. Next time, get the small drink and some gummi bears- chewy and fat free.

 

[Eumenides]

What we put in our bodies is our own choice. The worst thing about Americans is that we put SO MUCH of it in our bodies.
The french have much heavier foods, but their portions are much smaller.

I mean, really, does one really have to have a supersized meal? We think we do. We think we are not getting enough fuel if we don't get the bigmac with supersized fries.

I have to also agree with the walking argument. There are so many places in the States where public transportation is so limited or non-existant that we have to drive everywhere. Then, we get it in our minds that driving is just easier. I have a friend who will drive a block to go rent a movie. A BLOCK!

But essentially, people have to be accountable for themselves.