Alright everyone.. so I was taking a quick lunch break today to have some hot soup on this cold and windy winter day in Pittsburgh and I ran across something that really made me shake my head. I always surf the health sections of websites like CNN, Yahoo, NY Times, etc.. (usually disappointed because they are rarely updated) but today I stumbled upon the following article about a former McDonalds employee who sued the company and won.. Now normally I am not an advocate of the dollar menu toting fast food chain.. or any fast food chain for that matter. Yes it can be delicious and I am not saying I dont partake a few times a year if I am on the road.. but not the point.
This Article: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101028/ap_on_he_me/lt_brazil_mcdonald_s_obese_manager
Is the story of a man in Brazil who sued McDonalds Corp for a small amount of money because the company "Made" him become obese. Just reading that sentence .. does anyone buy that?? I pray to the good Lord above that no one thinks that makes sense.
The former manager claimed that he was "forced" to try the food regularly in order to make sure that the standards for quality were met. I dont believe that for one second.. as a matter of fact I am pretty sure that it is against health codes to eat any of the food youre handling while working. McDonalds is a chain corporation meaning that the parent company leaves no room for change within the branches. The same food is shipped to every restaurant, frozen and only needing to be cooked, The food is cooked to specific temperatures for a specific amount of time which is all controlled by machinery so there is no room for human error. That means that every big mac will taste exactly the same.. its designed that way. So if thats the case.. why would the manager need to taste anything?
Also, he claims that the company offered their food for free lunches for employees. How dare they!? How dare a company offer their employees a free lunch. Note: Just because the lunch is free.. doesnt mean you have to eat it.. and if you had a choice between a chicken sandwhich and a super sized big mac and fries.. if you choose the fattier option.. than thats your problem for your bad decision making.. not the companies.
There were other cases of teenagers and mothers who sued McDonalds a few years ago claiming that the fast food chain made her children obese. NO LADY! McDonalds did not make your child obese.. it was your terrible parenting by taking them to eat fast food everyday instead of making them healthy food or teaching them that they should choose the milk and apples on the menu instead of the double cheeseburger. I understand that busy parents might not have time to always make a meal but pack granola bars, string cheese, apples! Anything! it take 2 seconds and its cheaper than going out to eat every single day.
Heres one of the stories
This is similar to the women that sued McDonalds for spilling scolding hot coffee on her lap. She sued because McDonalds didnt "warn her" that the coffee was that hot. (which is why we now have the "CAUTION: Contents of this cup are extremely hot" disclaimer on all cups from McDonalds. I'm sorry but are you really that dumb? Did you expect to go to McDonalds and get cold coffee? and if you did get coffee that was cold.. I am sure you would be the same person that would go and complain that your coffee wasnt hot enough.
Read the story HERE
I know that when I had gained weight, it was by no ones fault but my own. I was drinking, eating terrible- carb filled foods, not exercising.. and guess what? that combination of things makes you gain weight. Period. I couldnt blame Oaklands 5 dollar large pizzas for it.. because it was my choice to go out drinking and then eat 3 slices of pizza at 230am.. and its the same now. Its my decision to go to the gym or not everyday.. its my decision to pack a healthy lunch or go out and buy fast food. I have turned my health around because I made an active decision to do so every day. End of story.. nothing is forced upon anyone.
I am just getting sick of everyone taking the easy way out.. blaming everyone else for their bad decisions. STOP IT! .. Step up and be held accountable for you actions! Unless someone had a gun to your head and was forcing you to drink milkshakes.. you have no one else to blame. McDonalds isnt forcing anyone to drive thru to their windows..
Rant Over.
Showing posts with label childhood obesity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label childhood obesity. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Monday, November 8, 2010
Girls night, Flat Bread Pizza and a 42% Obesity Rate
Good Morning lovely blog readers! I hope this blog finds you all happy, well and free from the sniffles! I am doing well in the no sniffle department so far and I am hoping that it continues that way!
This weekend was a blast which is why I took a blogging hiatus since last week. The number one reason was that I couldn't find anything that I particularly wanted to write about but also that I had spent a good majority of my weekend in front of a computer doing homework and I just couldn't do it anymore! I am more than half way thru a Masters Degree and so sometimes I have to take "homework weekends" in which I lock myself in the Beehive in South Side or my apartment and just bust out papers and book reviews. I also spent some time with my wonderful friends which was awesome...I love them and I am hoping that I can convince many of them to come down and visit me when I move to Charlotte, NC this summer.
Friday was the wine loft and a movie with some awesome people and Saturday I got to spend time with a slew of girls that I love. There was a Kim, Marlee, Kacey and 2 Stephanie's thrown into the mix! : ) We ate some delicious veggie/red sauce pasta and drank some delicious red wine.. while talking girl talk (sorry guys) and it was great fun!
Sunday I went up to visit my mom which is always fun. I love spending time with my family and especially my parents because I feel like I can talk to my parents and my sister about absolutely anything. My mom and I made some delicious super thin crust pizza from scratch and watched movies. I want to spend as much time as possible with my family this year before I get to far away from them and visiting isn't as easy.
As I looked around in public places I encountered however, I noticed the ratio of overweight people to people with what I would assume is a normal BMI. I would say the ratio was pretty on point with the national average which is 1/3 of people being obese or overweight for their height. I started thinking about the Marie Claire article that go so much hype a few weeks ago when a writer was brutally honest about her feelings on obese and overweight people and I started to think to myself.. do I feel that way when I sit in this room?
The answer was sometimes yes but I don't think to the extent that this writer does. I will admit that the article upset me just like everyone else but at the same time I can respect her for writing 100% honestly about how she feels. A recent study done by Harvard scientists says that if the current trend in the US continues, by the year 2050, 42% of Americans will be overweight or obese. THATS ALMOST HALF OUR POPULATION!! This means time for a serious wake up call!!
So I want to know what you think! What feelings immediately come to you when you see someone who is overweight or obese? Do you think its right or wrong to empower those that are overweight to continue to be so or try to help them lose weight? I want to know what everyone thinks.. so email me or comment here, facebook or twitter please. I am seriously interested!
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=170500301
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/fitnessnat
This weekend was a blast which is why I took a blogging hiatus since last week. The number one reason was that I couldn't find anything that I particularly wanted to write about but also that I had spent a good majority of my weekend in front of a computer doing homework and I just couldn't do it anymore! I am more than half way thru a Masters Degree and so sometimes I have to take "homework weekends" in which I lock myself in the Beehive in South Side or my apartment and just bust out papers and book reviews. I also spent some time with my wonderful friends which was awesome...I love them and I am hoping that I can convince many of them to come down and visit me when I move to Charlotte, NC this summer.
Friday was the wine loft and a movie with some awesome people and Saturday I got to spend time with a slew of girls that I love. There was a Kim, Marlee, Kacey and 2 Stephanie's thrown into the mix! : ) We ate some delicious veggie/red sauce pasta and drank some delicious red wine.. while talking girl talk (sorry guys) and it was great fun!
Sunday I went up to visit my mom which is always fun. I love spending time with my family and especially my parents because I feel like I can talk to my parents and my sister about absolutely anything. My mom and I made some delicious super thin crust pizza from scratch and watched movies. I want to spend as much time as possible with my family this year before I get to far away from them and visiting isn't as easy.
As I looked around in public places I encountered however, I noticed the ratio of overweight people to people with what I would assume is a normal BMI. I would say the ratio was pretty on point with the national average which is 1/3 of people being obese or overweight for their height. I started thinking about the Marie Claire article that go so much hype a few weeks ago when a writer was brutally honest about her feelings on obese and overweight people and I started to think to myself.. do I feel that way when I sit in this room?
The answer was sometimes yes but I don't think to the extent that this writer does. I will admit that the article upset me just like everyone else but at the same time I can respect her for writing 100% honestly about how she feels. A recent study done by Harvard scientists says that if the current trend in the US continues, by the year 2050, 42% of Americans will be overweight or obese. THATS ALMOST HALF OUR POPULATION!! This means time for a serious wake up call!!
So I want to know what you think! What feelings immediately come to you when you see someone who is overweight or obese? Do you think its right or wrong to empower those that are overweight to continue to be so or try to help them lose weight? I want to know what everyone thinks.. so email me or comment here, facebook or twitter please. I am seriously interested!
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=170500301
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/fitnessnat
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Governors vs Childhood Obesity
Good Morning Folks!
I thought it only necessary to blog with a political mind this morning since the elections are only a little ways behind us. I will share that I am not happy that Pennsylvania is now a Republican state but hey the election was fair. Anyway, I started thinking about the fact that through all the slanderous campaign commercials and radio ads we have all had to endure the last few months, I haven't heard a single candidate talk about what they are going to do to make sure that America has a future generation? It is a well known statistic that 1 in 3 children in the United States are overweight or obese.. to the point that this has been called an "obesity epidemic." So I decided to dig a little bit deeper, past the plight of Michelle Obama, and look at what steps the government has taken in the last few years to combat this problem.
The National Governors Association for Best Practices started a state led program in the last few years that is called "Healthy Kids, Healthy America." This committee's sole purpose is to support and integrate the development of anti- obesity and obesity prevention measures at a state level. Many states created their own more local committees under the umbrella of the NGA and started making five year plans to increase school nutritional options and physical activity in young students. Others conducted surveys in hopes to better understand the reasons for the obesity issues in their states. One of the most influential systems that have been piloted in a few states is a school based system for nutritional information. Indiana is one of the states that has actually succeeded in implementing a classroom/online wellness program that must be completed by students.
Want to read about the entire "POWER" project by the NGA and see what progress/ plans the states have? check it out! : )
http://www.nga.org/Files/pdf/1003HEALTHYKIDSPROFILES.PDF
On of the biggest state wide government policies/laws that I have heard of in the last 5 years to fight childhood obesity was passed the other day. We all know that McDonalds has been one of the main sources of blame in the past for creating childhood obesity issues by enticing families to eat their cheap and addicting food. Although they are not the only restaurant with these practices for sure.
Did anyone see the photography project in which a McDonalds hamburger and fries have not deteriorated at all in 6 months of being left out?? GROSS!! (Personally, I think its the parents that choose to take their children to McDonalds on a weekly basis that deserve the blame.. but I digress)
Haven't seen it yet?
http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_upshot/20101012/bs_yblog_upshot/mcdonalds-happy-meal-resists-decomposition-for-six-months
San Fransisco legislators have passed an ordinance that requires fast food meals to meet certain nutritional guidelines before they are allowed to include toys in their meals! I think this is an amazing thing!! I mean after all.. lets face it. the point of a toy in happy meals is so that kids want to nag their parents to buy them. The kids want the box with the maze on it and a toy to play with on the way home and they don't have the knowledge or the want to care about the food they are putting in their bodies at the age of 8. Starting a reward system for those children to pick healthy (healthier) choices at fast food restaurants will help them to learn what the smarter decisions are when they are older. Choosing apple slices instead of french fries will cut over 100 calories and numerous grams of oil and fat out of your children's diet..giving them more energy and helping their body to function more efficiently.
So I say good job San Fransisco! You might be rainy but your heads are in the right place! I hope other cities and states adopt similar programs. What programs do you want your state or city to adopt? Do you have any ideas to help?
I would love to see Pennsylvania offer nutrition and physical activity courses. Actually teach kids an entire year about how to take care of themselves and not just make it a 3 week section of a health class or making gym more than just playing dodge ball.
What about tax incentives for people who can prove they use a gym membership or stick to a healthy plan? Or employer incentives for employers that allow free gym services in their buildings? State grants to schools to revamp their gym classes and vending machines or eating programs!
There are so many ideas out there of how we can help! what do you think?
I thought it only necessary to blog with a political mind this morning since the elections are only a little ways behind us. I will share that I am not happy that Pennsylvania is now a Republican state but hey the election was fair. Anyway, I started thinking about the fact that through all the slanderous campaign commercials and radio ads we have all had to endure the last few months, I haven't heard a single candidate talk about what they are going to do to make sure that America has a future generation? It is a well known statistic that 1 in 3 children in the United States are overweight or obese.. to the point that this has been called an "obesity epidemic." So I decided to dig a little bit deeper, past the plight of Michelle Obama, and look at what steps the government has taken in the last few years to combat this problem.
 |
| This chart shows adult and child obesity percentages by state. |
The National Governors Association for Best Practices started a state led program in the last few years that is called "Healthy Kids, Healthy America." This committee's sole purpose is to support and integrate the development of anti- obesity and obesity prevention measures at a state level. Many states created their own more local committees under the umbrella of the NGA and started making five year plans to increase school nutritional options and physical activity in young students. Others conducted surveys in hopes to better understand the reasons for the obesity issues in their states. One of the most influential systems that have been piloted in a few states is a school based system for nutritional information. Indiana is one of the states that has actually succeeded in implementing a classroom/online wellness program that must be completed by students.
Want to read about the entire "POWER" project by the NGA and see what progress/ plans the states have? check it out! : )
http://www.nga.org/Files/pdf/1003HEALTHYKIDSPROFILES.PDF
On of the biggest state wide government policies/laws that I have heard of in the last 5 years to fight childhood obesity was passed the other day. We all know that McDonalds has been one of the main sources of blame in the past for creating childhood obesity issues by enticing families to eat their cheap and addicting food. Although they are not the only restaurant with these practices for sure.
Did anyone see the photography project in which a McDonalds hamburger and fries have not deteriorated at all in 6 months of being left out?? GROSS!! (Personally, I think its the parents that choose to take their children to McDonalds on a weekly basis that deserve the blame.. but I digress)
Haven't seen it yet?
http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_upshot/20101012/bs_yblog_upshot/mcdonalds-happy-meal-resists-decomposition-for-six-months
San Fransisco legislators have passed an ordinance that requires fast food meals to meet certain nutritional guidelines before they are allowed to include toys in their meals! I think this is an amazing thing!! I mean after all.. lets face it. the point of a toy in happy meals is so that kids want to nag their parents to buy them. The kids want the box with the maze on it and a toy to play with on the way home and they don't have the knowledge or the want to care about the food they are putting in their bodies at the age of 8. Starting a reward system for those children to pick healthy (healthier) choices at fast food restaurants will help them to learn what the smarter decisions are when they are older. Choosing apple slices instead of french fries will cut over 100 calories and numerous grams of oil and fat out of your children's diet..giving them more energy and helping their body to function more efficiently.
So I say good job San Fransisco! You might be rainy but your heads are in the right place! I hope other cities and states adopt similar programs. What programs do you want your state or city to adopt? Do you have any ideas to help?
I would love to see Pennsylvania offer nutrition and physical activity courses. Actually teach kids an entire year about how to take care of themselves and not just make it a 3 week section of a health class or making gym more than just playing dodge ball.
What about tax incentives for people who can prove they use a gym membership or stick to a healthy plan? Or employer incentives for employers that allow free gym services in their buildings? State grants to schools to revamp their gym classes and vending machines or eating programs!
There are so many ideas out there of how we can help! what do you think?
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