McDonald Uncle Bounced Back Triumphant
Arouse people to pay attention on fat children
By Tiffany 14 November 2006
What happened recently
Surprisingly, customers flock back to Big Mac. In the downtown of Cardiff, long queues always can be seen in McDonald’s restaurants, especially on weekend. However, those people in queues seemed patiently of waiting, it might can be shown the success of “I’m lovin’ it”.
In 2003, McDonald’s dipped into the red for the first time in it five-decade history. But after three years, it bounced back triumphantly. McDonald’s reported a 15% rise in third-quarter profits to $843m (£449m) in European markets on 19 October 2006. At the same time, its sales rose 10% to $5.88bn from $5.33bn, in line with market forecasts.
Does it worse, did you realized it
Take a walking at city centre, just took a glance through the window of McDonald’s. It was easily to see over-weighted kids biting the big cheeseburger, accompanied with large size coca-cola. You’ll be shocked and began to worry the younger generation in South Wales, also the whole country.
McDonald’s unveiled the healthier options three years ago in response to accusations that its high-fat, high-salt, high-sugar products were fuelling children’s junky food consumption and boosting child obesity.
Actually, the problem has already occurred, the Guardian reported on 3 November 2006, “Increasing levels of obesity and resultant health problems reduces the number of young people able to join the services”, warns the National Audit Office. It points to research by the army last year which showed that only a third of all 16 year-olds would pass the body mass index set for all recruits to the forces.
According to a recent report, which released by the Department of Health revealed that Britain is the fattest country in Europe, with one in seven children obese, a bad sign that means they are at even more risk of heart disease and diabetes.
Make efforts to save our children
October 16, which is the global day of action against McDonalds every year. Fortunately, part of people was actually aware that for the whole nation, it is a serious problem. On that day, protestors hand out leaflets; some of them do performance art in front of the McDonald’s restaurants, to persuade people to protest against such junky food.
But the protests always can’t be that powerful, organizations, government and other giant enterprises should join in together to against the junky food for your younger generation.
And we’re happy to see in May this year, the national press hinted that Disney might cease to associate its popular children’s characters with junky food, after the entertainment company ended its 10-year partnership with McDonald’s. The guidelines call for Disney to use its name and characters only in conjunction with kid-focused products that meet specific guidelines, including limits on calories, fat, saturated fat and sugar.
From one research, 40% of all children’s TV advertising is for food and drink – and most of that is for sweets, soft drinks, fast food and sugary Breakfast cereals. The Food Standards Agency is considering a ban on advertising junky food, especially colorful McDonald’s happy meal, during children’s TV programmes.
