WESTBROOK, Minnesota (STPNS) --     For some time now there has been a movement to get McDonalds to remove the toys from their happy meals. The organization claims the advertising targets young people and makes them less healthy as a result.

    I agree that we as a nation are becoming less healthy overall and obesity is nearing epidemic proportions in our society.

    It would be great if children were taught to eat healthy foods, it would surely help to reduce the cost of health care if people were to eat a  healthier diet.



    McDonalds’ spokesperson defends the Happy Meal saying they market it with a recommendation of white meat McNuggets, milk, and apples. Of course you can get it with soda, cheeseburger, and fries.

    This type  of marketing has been going on for many years. Saturday morning cartoon shows have touted high sugar content cereals,  which by the way included, you got it, a TOY!

    So they say ban the happy meal. Well almost every fast food joint has some form of the happy meal, so are they going to go after them? What about Cracker Jacks, don’t they have prizes? I recall getting a prize with my nickel pack of Cracker Jacks back in the fifties when I was a kid.

    I realize it is hard for parents to say no these days, but that is where it all starts. That four year old kid can’t drive himself or herself to the fast food joint.

So really it is not about the kids making good choices, it’s about the parents making good choices for them. In other words it is time for parents to be full time parents. As a parent you need to help your kids to make the right choices by setting a good example for them to follow.

    There is no doubt that kids emulate their parents, so it is up to us to pay attention to the example we are showing them.

    Madison Avenue, and Hollywood   has figured out how to market just about anything. I think it starts with our children - the marketing of everything from Happy Meals  to Movies and a lot of other things. The whole thing just seems to evolve to teens, and eventually adults. Somehow they have convinced us that we have to be the first to have music, see movies, or have the latest electronic gadget.

    I think the latest economic recession can be traced to the material excesses of our society.

    So maybe it does all start with the Happy Meal.

    

Have a good week!