SAN FRANCISCO--The McDonald's Happy Meal is bummed. The tentative decision of San Francisco city officials last week to crack down on restaurant meals that include free toys unless they meet particular nutritional guidelines is, depending on whom you ask, either taking away a parents' right to choose what to feed their children, as some people have commented, or a gift to frazzled parents up against a massive marketing machine.

What it most likely isn't, however, is a solution to the childhood obesity epidemic.

In an effort to curb the swelling rates of kids who are overweight or obese, the city's Board of Supervisors voted in favor of a law that would require any meals that package a free toy to include fruits and vegetables and contain no more than 600 calories or 35 percent of its calories from fat (about 210 calories or 23 grams of fat). The meals would also have to contain a beverage that's not loaded with sugar or fat.

The board will revisit and vote again on the law Tuesday, Nov. 9. If passed, the law, expected to go into effect on Dec. 1, 2011, is intended to promote healthy eating habits among kids.

At a time when an estimated 17 percent of young people aged 2-19 years are obese and about an equal number are overweight, according to the Centers for Disease Control, the restriction on the popular Happy Meal is a worthy effort.

McDonald's expressed disappointment in the ordinance. "Parents tell us it's their right and responsibility, not the government's, to make their own decisions and to choose what’s right for their children," McDonald's spokeswoman Danya Proud said in a statement.

Sure, parents can, and do, have a say about what their kids eat, but it's increasingly tough for them to ignore all the temptations out there.

It's doubtful that the Happy Meal measure will do much to reverse the tide of overweight children. There are many causes of childhood obesity, including genetic and lifestyle ones. Decreased physical activity, too many sugary beverages and increased overall calorie intake are factors.

Another potential positive outcome could be the extra push for restaurants to offer more healthful menu options for kids. (Source: MSNBC)

Story Date: November 9, 2010