Deems Ordinance ?Worthless, Misdirected
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL (NewsReleaseWire) May 2, 2010 -- The development of an ordinance to ban toys from kids? meals that do not meet specific nutritional standards is a ?worthless, misdirected effort that may in fact boost kids' meal sales and the incidence of childhood obesity? according to nutrition researcher and FoodSmart Alliance founder Diana Hunter. The ordinance, approved by California?s Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors in a 3-2 vote, is aimed at reducing childhood obesity. It may, however, have the opposite effect.. ?Putting so much media emphasis on Happy Meals and other kids? meals could very likely increase sales,? says Hunter. ?And what?s stopping the restaurants from selling the toys separately??
Hunter also notes that removing the toys from the meals may cause kids to want other less-healthy foods that contain toys, such as high-sugar, low fiber cereals that contain artificial ingredients, or to seek toys from other sources while continuing to eat the meals.
?Think of all the toys hanging at a child?s eye level in the grocery store in virtually every aisle,? Hunter remarks. ?Are we going to force supermarkets to remove all of those too??
Another consideration Hunter brings to light is that there are many instances in which kids ask for a kids? meal only to obtain a certain toy and then only eat a portion, if any, of the food. She cites a child?s overall diet as the source needing change, and says parents and caretakers should be at the helm of controlling childhood obesity ? not government.
So what?s a better approach to conquering childhood obesity?
?It?s pretty simple,? states Hunter. ?Just teach your kids which foods promote good health and which ones don?t, and then put your money where their mouth is. Combine that with making sure they have sufficient sleep, exercise, hydration, and quality time and you provide them with a life plan for good health.?
Hunter, who is currently on her ?Be FoodSmart? national tour, has made hundreds of public and media appearances across the country teaching both adults and children how to make healthful yet tasty nutritional choices.
For more information visit FoodSmart.org.
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