
Steve Easterbrook admits restaurant has role to play – but points finger at interactive entertainment
The chief executive of McDonald’s UK has hit out at video games for being a major cause of the childhood obesity crisis.
Steve Easterbrook told The Times that the food and drinks industry shared responsibility for the issue with individuals and Government.
But he made special mention of the popularity of games – and said they have reduced the amount of time young people spend outdoors “burning off energy”.
“The issue of obesity is complex and is absolutely one our society is facing, there’s no denial about that,” said Easterbrook. “But if you break it down I think there’s an education piece: how can we better communicate to individuals the importance of a balanced diet and taking care of themselves?
“Then there’s a lifestyle element: there’s fewer green spaces and kids are sat home playing computer games on the TV when in the past they’d have been burning off energy outside.”
According to The Times, McDonalds UK is ‘on the brink of its best year for two decades’. The firm has enjoyed six per cent like-for-like sales growth in the last year. More than 88 million visits were made to McDonald's restaurants last month, up 10 million on the previous year.
PHOTO: (Source) www.Timesonline.co.uk
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Comments
People have moved on
Nowadays its not that safe to play outside, young kids going around puffing on cigarrettes, hanging around shops.
The overall lifestyle of people has changed and everything is moved onto digital entertainment now.
You cant make anyone do something they dont really want everyone's different at the end of the day.
And McDonalds are the last company on this planet to point fingers on obesity...
Re: People have moved on
Awesome! It take ******** for a man in his position to come out with that.
Re: People have moved on
Does anyone remember this?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_Gladiators" onclick="window.open ( this.href ); return false;" class="comment_url" >http://en.wikipedi...ators
Re: People have moved on
Damn LOL I remember that!
McDonald’s boss: ‘Games to blame for childhood obesi
Pot.... Kettle.... Black.....
Re: People have moved on
They didn't seem to mind working with the gaming industry for profit however...
Y'know...
His position on everyone needing to make an effort to lead a healthier lifestyle would be more believable if McDonalds weren't doing a BOGOF promotion on Big Macs at the moment...
Re: People have moved on
What a ****!
I assume he is a parent himself? I also assume that he nightly kicks his children outside amongst the traffic, paedophiles and drug dealers so that they are not getting fat and corrupted from playing evil computer games?
I live in a supposedly well healed village in leafy Buckinghamshire and run an under 12 football team. Before every game I have to walk the pitch to dispose of the discarded stella cans and shringes (oh, and the odd Mcdonalds wrapper!!!) left by those other kids who are “playing” outside and keeping “fit”.
I know where I’d rather my son be!
Re: People have moved on
I think I'd like to challenge him on Mario vs Sonic at the Olympics, see who's the fat burger muncher then!
Re: People have moved on
Erm I am not parent so maybe i don't get it but no one forces you to eat Mc Donalds and no one forces you to sit around playing games all day. Parents and kids must take responsibility for their own actions or inaction. If you don't like what you are watching on TV you have a choice turn it over or off. I remember a campaign a few years ago relating to drugs it carried a really good message "just say NO!" maybe parents should take notice of this instead of giving into their kids every request. I appreciate this is hard to do but didn't your parents ever say NO! Mine did and i am okay i think!
Steve Easterbrook causes Cancer.
Steve Easterbrook causes Cancer.
Sure there's plenty of unknowns, but food in high acid like Mcdonalds is a known cause of cancer. Steve Easterbrook causes cancer.
Re: Steve Easterbrook causes Cancer.
Um... if he's so against them then why do they offer free Nintendo wifi hotspots then?
Re: Steve Easterbrook causes Cancer.
The answer:
Re: Steve Easterbrook causes Cancer.
Free Fruits on Public Areas to Curb Spreading Obesity
Fruits are low in calories and highly nutritional already grown on public places at increasing ratios to face obesity trends. Tree climbing also can be a body exercise for kids harvesting fruits.
Fruits have around four times more water content than cookies and easily satisfy hunger taking less energy. Refrigerators full of fruits easily beat junkies.
In Brazil we are increasing fruit trees in the public areas changing the country to a large tropical orchard. Then, sidewalks, squares, parks, roadsides will be plenty of free fruits bearing appropriate food to fight spreading obesity. Free fruits are protected from the power of the economic system pursuing profitability.
Other countries are invited to join us on a fight against global obesity toward a Public Fructification. Brazil intends to become a developed country without common problems of a superpower.
We intend the rural area to conquer public areas making it full of fruits.
http://revver.com/watch/225528" onclick="window.open ( this.href ); return false;" class="comment_url" >http://revver.com/...25528
http://revver.com/watch/529604" onclick="window.open ( this.href ); return false;" class="comment_url" >http://revver.com/...29604
Even carnivores can be convinced to eat more fruits why not humans?
http://revver.com/watch/218695" onclick="window.open ( this.href ); return false;" class="comment_url" >http://revver.com/...18695
Re: Steve Easterbrook causes Cancer.
Steve is great,he not quaint,he just like to mastu-shake your hand and no mistake,I'm liking the photo he is so on the bog?
Re: Steve Easterbrook causes Cancer.
Mr still!
Robin from TORC(FELTHAM) says Hi,so does Ridley of Scott glad your still(hoHO)with us!
Best Marcus & me
Re: Steve Easterbrook causes Cancer.
What a fat burger munching hypocrite.
Re: Steve Easterbrook causes Cancer.
Siete dei gran rincoglioniti. Prima ci propinate la vostra merda, i vostri panini fatti con chissa quali cazzo di ingedienti e salse, e poi andate a distrarre il popolo con il capro espiatorio di turno.
Sinceramente questa gente mi fa schifo...
Re: Steve Easterbrook causes Cancer.
Its no one's fault but the parents. At the end of the day, it the parents that should have control over their children. They should be educating their children and bringing them up on a balanced diet with major encouragement to exercise from a young age. If they don't know how to feed their kids then bloody read up on it! If you can't be arsed to do that then you don't deserve to be parents
Re: Steve Easterbrook causes Cancer.
didnt stop mcd sponsoring a gaming tournament did it "McDonald’s Midnight Gaming at the Summer Event"
The Cyberathlete Professional League (CPL) announced that it is hosting a Midnight Gaming Championship tournament presented by McDonald’s®, at the Summer 2007 CPL Championships which takes place Thursday, August 30 to Sunday, September 2, 2007 (Labor Day Weekend) at the Hilton Anatole hotel in Dallas, Texas.
bit hypocritical :)
Re: Steve Easterbrook causes Cancer.
he is taking a ride with the regulatory board and taking advantage of all the drama and attacks the industry has been suffering ... the basd thing is that, people might actually believe this, and change the games for the MCs ... what a shame...
Challenge
I bet if I spent 1 week just eating Maccy Dees and another just playing video games I could tell you which one I would put on most weight doing.
I'd like to remind him that there are more sports halls, swimming pools, gyms etc. around today than ever before. Maybe if parents stopped spending tens of pounds on their food and instead used the money to do some kind of sporting activity then the youth of today wouldn't be so fat.
Re: Challenge
Considering most children don't have the income to provide themselves with McDonald's or video games, I would have to say their parents are the ones who are responsible, not McDonald's, video games, or the easter bunny.
Re: Challenge
The man has a point. Mickey Dee's has been around for a long time, but childhood obesity has become a major issue only within the past 20 years! People are lazier: we drive our car two blocks, the kids sit inside and watch tv or play video games, etc. To heap all the blame on fast food, which has been around for years, is not honest.
Re: Challenge
I think the problem here is that children are not allowed to play by themselves anymore. They have to be with a parent or babysitter all of the time. Since both parents work (if there are two parents) there is no time to take the kids out.
Child abduction and abuse is no worse than it was 20 years ago. We are just more aware of it through the media.
In my day, we played without our parents, but played in packs of 4 or 5 kids and watched each others backs. We steered clear of :Old man Jenkins house, and knew everyon on our street.
I would let my 7 year old play with friends outside alone if a: the other parents allowed it as well, and b: I didn't think that I would be reported for neglect.
Re: Challenge
I would consider some games for the wii as borderline exercise. More exercise than I'm getting in my cube right now anyway.
Re: Challenge
This is like the best joke of 2008, Games Obese.It sounds like the movie, thank you for stoping smoking, I even posted this article in the comedy section on my blog, with extra comm,opentopix dot com
Re: Challenge
Oh the irony of this article. Of course fast food wouldn't be the major blame coming from the CEO of MCDONALD'S! Yeah, like this guy would actually say something that would hurt his business.
Re: Challenge
Also, to comment on Estelle Edwards comment, the amount of food back in the day wasn't even half as much as we get no for the same price. The "big" size of fries back then is now the size you get in the kids meal. Basically, the kids meal now was the main meal for adults back then. Also the $1 menu wasn't there either. Now for a snack, people can go spend $2 on the equivalent of 2 meals back in the day. Another problem is that all the healthy things on the meus are the most expensive.
Re: Challenge
so im guessin the fats and all the oils dont make you obese...HMMMM......well screw video games im goin to mcdonalds
Re: Challenge
What a crock.
Eating ****ty food and being an inactive sloth lead to obesity. McDonalds sells ****ty food and markets it to children in an irresponsible way, therefore MCDonalds cause childhood obesity. Games are not synonymous with inactivity therefore can't be blamed. For proof, I play more games than most and have done since 1986, I am willing to bet anyone that I can run farther and faster than any regular McDonalds customer.
Re: Challenge
What a crock.
Eating ****ty food and being an inactive sloth lead to obesity. McDonalds sells ****ty food and markets it to children in an irresponsible way, therefore MCDonalds cause childhood obesity. Games are not synonymous with inactivity therefore can't be blamed. For proof, I play more games than most and have done since 1986, I am willing to bet anyone that I can run farther and faster than any regular McDonalds customer.
Re: Challenge
"Steve Easterbrook in 'Making Myself Come Off Looking A Bit Of A T*t' shocker!"
Re: Challenge
How many of the toys they put in with their happy meals are for outdoor use?
Re: Challenge
Wow, what an ungodly crock of ****!
Sigh!
Re: Challenge
I'm surprised that no one is arguing about which console is the healthiest by now…
Ryu? :)
Re: Challenge
bull f*** its his f***** maccas doin it, when u squeeze then grease comes out!
mcdonalds
i love macdonalds but u can atleast make then with a little bit less grease... :(
Re: mcdonalds
the food sucks cant u make mcdonalds into a nice posh restraunts,well i think u can cause u have the power dudes u cand why not come to my house at bude xx
Re: Challenge
Not that it matters, but the wii is the most healthy games console, but also the most dangerous when people throw the controller across the room by accident.
dwe
rghtioughvbthnboiudxhmvi
blame
The point people make about if they ate McDonalds for a week they would put weight wait on more than if they played computer games. That is not a blow at McDonalds that is obvious. To be fair if you ate fresh organic fruit for a week or played computers games you would put more weight on then.
People try and make Steve Eastbrook feel guilty for having a successful business and make him justify everything. If you put your self in his shoes and have gone out off your way it introduce healthier food and sponsor events such as football and basketball events then why can't you also sponsor one computer gaming event??? Is it wrong to show support for more than just active sports?
I think it is awful how parents and other people alike think they have the right to pass the blame on to McDonalds for Childhood Obesity. There are so many more factors and at the end of the day it is the parents that give in and tell the kids they can have McDonalds...whose cash goes over the counter when you buy it???????
I think people should take responsibility themselves a bit more and maybe you would see more off a difference because McDonalds has done allot off work to change their food, for instance there is now no longer any added salt in their chicken it is all chicken breast they do not used chemically regained chicken unlike some fast food restaurants. They have changed there meat to 100% beef and they are proud off it. They now put half the amount off salt on their fries compared to 5 years ago. They have a much wider range for both Happy Meals and adult meals. The introduction off deli sandwiches and salads gives people the option for a much healthier McDonalds yet it is still the customers who make the choice to buy a big Mac or a quarter pounder. They even have special offers which means the healthier option isn't more expensive than the other options.
It angers me that people blame McDonalds. On average a customer comes in to McDonalds 3/4 times a month which means McDonald’s food should make no difference to your diet it should be a treat almost for every member off your family.
I think people should think more about how McDonalds has changed for childhood obesity instead off throwing the same abuse at it in every argument because McDonalds is the one changing show a little appreciation for once!
Re: blame
WOW! AND THE FACT THAT MCDONALDS ARE FILLING US WITH DEAD ****ING COW MEAT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH IT!
Steve do us all a favour and shut up before your Satanic Resturant gets closed.
Re: Re: blame
it is funny that the mc donald boss is saying this because mc donalds is to blame for obesity
Re: Re: Re: blame
mcdonalds is to blame!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Re: Re: Re: Re: blame chicken
i love mcdonalds. people are fat coz there to lazy to do exercise.
if i was prime minister i would make a lax to have a mcdonalds meal everyday
Re: Re: Re: Re: blame
IT'S ALL MCDONALDS FAULT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
MCDONALDS IS TO BLAME, NOT COMPUTER GAMES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: blame
I LOVE MCDONALDS BECAUSE I SELL MY COWS TO THEM WHICH MAKES ME A FARMER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: blame
I make money with Mcdonalds :)
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: blame
CHIPS!!!!!!!!! BURGERS!!!!!!!!!!! COKE!!!!!!!!!! COWS!!!!!!!!!!
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: blame
I drive tractors into lakes :D
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: blame
well steve the controversial issue we face with childhood obesity is not so much the video games the youth play, more so the advertising of fast food giants like yourself who manipulate the easily krafted minds of the young generation with these appealing adds making them feel as though they require your fat filled slugde. get a life mate and stop advertising junk food throughout childrens program screenings
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: blame
McDonalds isnt making the kids fat. You, the parent, are. Your the ones taking your children to this fast food restraunt knowing that the food will indeed make you or your kids fat and you know its not healthy for you. And yet you still take your children there and buy them the greasiest stuff they want. Dont blame McDonalds for making people fat. the customer is making themselves fat by buying the food. So again dont blame McDonalds for making people fat, remember you have a choice wether you want to eat there or not. so cut the s**t. And it doesnt help that children these days spend all there time playing video games and hardly going outside to run or go play fun outdoor games. And for the guy who thinks he can run faster and farther than any regular mcdonalds customer, your a dumb a**. you have no life if your over 30 and all you do is play video games. And i bet i could out run your a** anyday and i am a Regular McDonalds custumer cause i f***kin work there.
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: blame
**** you ****
WTF
WTF how can the MacDonalds boss say this?? Your the ones that serve fucking shit in a bun! Jeez nice one, douchebags.
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