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Two disturbing news articles last week point out our frustration with the American culture and healthy lifestyles – they both involve our younger populations.
The first article was entitled “More American Kids Eating Fast Food”.
The study interviewed 544 families with children entering a fast-food restaurant, which was located inside an San Diego Children’s hospital (nice place for a fast-food establishment – sends the wrong message, doesn’t it?)
The results of the surveys found that the foods most often bought for preschoolers were (non-surprisingly) French fries, soda, chicken nuggets, cheesburgers, and hamburgers. Older children ate similar foods along with hot apple pies (ages 6-11) and chocolate chip cookies (ages 12-18).
Soda was ordered more than milk or juice and the families did not often choose slightly healthier options such as fruit parfaits. Families went to the fast-food restaurant for the following reasons:
- Ø The children and the adults liked the food.
- Ø Convenience
- Ø The fast food was a reward
- Ø The family was hungry and had no other food options (at the time).
Forty-nine percent of the families reported that the “happy meal” toys were not a big factor for their choices.
I don’t know if this study shows that more of our kids are eating fast foods but does point out a disturbing conclusion that parents choose fast fast foods for their kids as a reward.
Doesn’t teach them much of a lesson, does it? Oh dear – what is next? Check out the related article below.
And check out the next post on more news of our “kids” and diet.
Related articles
- Coming Soon to Your Local Fast Food Joint: Alcohol? (walletpop.com)
And, of course, fast food is so much more inexpensive than fresh, nutritious food.