McDonald's Stockholders Reject Obesity Proposal, Defends Ronald

OAK BROOK, Illinois (Debra Sherman) - McDonald's Corp spurned calls to assess the impact of its food on childhood obesity, and said its trademark clown Ronald McDonald would be hawking Happy Meals to kids for years to come.

"This is about choice and we believe in the democratic process," Chief Executive Jim Skinner told a packed room at its shareholders' meeting, to an enthusiastic wave of applause. "This is about the personal and individual right to choose."

Shareholders of the world's largest fast-food chain resoundingly rejected a proposal that would have required it to issue a report outlining its role in the childhood obesity epidemic, saying customers were free to make their own dietary choices.

"Ronald McDonald is an ambassador to McDonald's and he is an ambassador for good. Ronald McDonald is going nowhere," Skinner said firmly, prompting more cheers from shareholders.

Among the dissenters at the meeting was Dr. Donald Zeigler, director of Prevention and Health Lifestyles at the American Medical Association, who asked when the burger chain will stop marketing to children using Ronald McDonald.

Zeigler, who is also visiting assistant professor at Rush University Medical Center, was one of 550 healthcare professionals who had signed an open letter to McDonald's pleading that it "stop making the next generation sick."

On Tuesday, a watchdog group placed ads in newspapers across the country calling for McDonald's to stop marketing to children through the clown, toy giveaways and other tactics.

Some 17 percent of children and adolescents are obese, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Being overweight during childhood raises the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, hypertension and a host of other diseases.

McDonald's has been a lightning rod for criticism for years over its marketing tactics and sales of Happy Meals for children that include toys as inducements.

McDonald's allows parents to swap milk or juice for soda in its Happy Meals. It also offers sliced apples with caramel sauce and chicken nuggets as alternatives to french fries and hamburgers.

The restaurant chain has added healthier options to its menu, including salads and oatmeal, but critics argue there is still too much fat, salt and sugar in its meals. Even the oatmeal, one critic noted, contains about as much sugar as a Snickers candy bar.

Skinner defended McDonald's strategy, which has resulted in hefty sales and earnings for shareholders. McDonald's shares have gained nearly 12 percent in the last four months and rallied to a record high of $82.63 on Thursday.

But as experts point out, obese children often grow into obese adults, overburdening the entire healthcare system.

Ironically, Miles White, chairman and chief executive of diversified healthcare company Abbott Laboratories, has been a director of the McDonald's board since 2009.

Abbott makes a broad range of drugs, including cholesterol-lowering statins, and medical devices, such as heart stents used on patients with clogged arteries.

(Reporting by Debra Sherman, Lisa Baertlein and Jessica Wohl; Editing by Richard Chang)

Copyright 2011 Thomson Reuters. Click for Restrictions.

Comments

[toolology]

12:34 PM on 05/23/2011

Once again people not accepting responsibility for their own problems. Instead they must place blame on someone else, in this case McDonalds. McDonalds has the right to use their masscot, Ronald McDonald, just as a parent has the right to say "no" to their child. Any excuse as to why you give into your child's demand and place blame on McDonald's marketing to children is just that a pitiful excuse. McDonald's holds little responsibility to today's obesity problem, the problem lies with poor parenting or "lazy parenting".

[teabagflush]

07:18 PM on 05/22/2011

The question isn't whether McDonald's food is bad for child obesity. The real question is why do American mothers insist on feeding their children CR@P.

[TheyCallMeArt]

12:13 PM on 05/23/2011

"The real question is why do American mothers insist on feeding their children CR@P."

Because a 12+ hour, 2 job workday doesn't afford much time for meal preparation. Nor does it afford the patience to turn down a screaming child who's enticed by a nice clown and a spiffy toy from the latest children's entertainment franchise du jour. Nor does it afford the money necessary to cover the ever-increasing cost of a "healthy" dinner.

[teabagflush]

05:50 PM on 05/23/2011

That is so lame. If you can't afford to properly care for your children, don't have them in the first place. If you treated your pet that way, you would be arrested. You disgust me.

[hgus]

01:30 PM on 05/22/2011

We have a massive problem in this country, in the sense that Americans waistband is massive
Well, we tried the "free market" way. Results? Not so much.

Guess we will have to go another way.

[thrugreeneyez]

12:22 PM on 05/22/2011

Recent studies indicate that obesity is contagious. (you can read about this in the HP Health section) Thus, fast food is even more like tobacco. Just as people don't want to be around smokers' second hand smoke and contract lung cancer, health conscious people like myself don't want to be around anyone's second hand junk food and contract obesity! Seriously, I despise the smell and can't even stand to be around it! McPoo is disgusting!

[AZreb]

08:52 AM on 05/23/2011

You have made your choice - can't you give others the same privilege? Frankly, I look forward to the coupons and might use one every couple of months for a Big Mac but do not eat at McD's more often than that.

If you want to place blame on habits that contribute to obesity, think of the children who sit for hours in school, then hours more in front of a computer when they get home either for homework or "social networking" and games - the adults who sit for 7 hours at a computer at work and then come home and sit in front of a TV or play video games - the cost to families if they want their kids to play sports in school but must pay for uniforms and equipment - the lack of exercise in schools for children since so many activities such as dodge-ball are now considered too dangerous - the many thousands who are dependent on food stamps and must make the choice of fresh vegetables, fruits, lean meats or foods that are not as healthy in order to make those food stamps last for an entire month - and more.

Obesiity is not "catching" - it boils down to a choice or, in the case of so many families now, what they can afford to buy at the grocery store.

[eyepdtouch]

12:22 PM on 05/22/2011

I love McDonald's, I'm also a foodie, I also eat a very high fat diet, but guess what folks, I also exercise all the time, it's a decision I choose all by my lonesome - of course I know that McDonald's is probably a poor health choice but I enjoy it and I also enjoy being fit.

If you're obese, it's because you choose to be. I don't think I've heard one real life case where someone was forced to eat anything, or wasn't allowed to workout, if there are any real life scenarios where this has happened please share - chances are there won't be one.

[Klarsonent]

11:29 PM on 05/22/2011

I eat healthy food and cook at home for the most part. I occasionally will go to a "fast food" restaurant such as McDonalds and have a hamburger with fries and a diet coke. But, it is a rare occasion; perhaps every two months.

The problem with many people in society is that they get into a habit of going to these places and bring their children along. And the children do not get the exercise that you say you do as an adult. The children sit in front of the TV and/or play video games on the computer and turn into small tubs of fat. Sad, but true.

[thrugreeneyez]

12:18 PM on 05/22/2011

Shame on McDonald's and their immoral shareholders!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It is wrong for them to aggressively push their poison on children!!!!!!!!!! I want that study to be done. If they say it's about choice, then we have the right to be able to make an informed choice which means we want all of the facts and info, just like we had a right to know all of the facts and info regarding cigarettes!!!!!!!!!
I will continue to boycott Mc$&!$ until they are put out of business!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[LeftyLemming]

09:31 PM on 06/10/2011

Wow....that's a mouthful....

Here's your choice lefty....don't go there !!!

[raker]

08:16 AM on 05/22/2011

We should put our energy into convincing people never to eat at McDonald's, into promoting healthful ways to eat inexpensively and quickly when away from home. Let McDonald's wither away with their sugary junk food and cartoon spokesman while we eat elsewhere and they'll come around on their own.

[dtallwalk]

11:07 PM on 05/21/2011

OK the enthusiastic wave of applause.
Is code for as long as we are making lots of money from these folks
Who cares if they get fat
As long as are wallets get fat
That what really matters right ?

[rowdiman]

08:45 PM on 05/21/2011

What happened to eating at home? It is cheaper and healthier.

[Kansiov]

11:28 PM on 05/21/2011

It went out the window when people worked 12 hour shifts.

[eyepdtouch]

12:23 PM on 05/22/2011

Historically & internationally 12 hours is quite normal and people still chose to eat indoors regularly.

[GWAMM]

10:38 PM on 05/31/2011

I doubt it's cheaper, unless your using food stamps. Have you seen the prices in grocery stores lately?

[KevinFletcherTweedy]

08:36 PM on 05/21/2011

Yes, it IS about "choice" but pro-choice has nothing to do with it (except whether to spawn another potential victim for the fat food industry). The CHOICE is to spurn those entities (fast or otherwise) who push empty calories and/or way-too-many calories. Personally, I haven't been to a McDonald's Burger King, Pizza Hut or TacoBell in decades.

[CPA 4 Life]

07:56 PM on 05/21/2011

Will the 'pro-choice' crowd defend McDonalds? I bet not.

[nofriendofrepublicans]

05:32 PM on 05/21/2011

"We don't care how fat & unhealthy you & your kids are, we're making money." Google Super Size Me.

[logicanada]

03:49 PM on 05/21/2011

If you have to label something as a Happy Meal to sell it, it can't be good for you.

[LogicalMathMan]

01:22 PM on 05/21/2011

I haven't eaten any fast food in over 17 years.

[sippewissett]

09:31 AM on 05/21/2011

Protest by removing McDonald's stock from your portfolio, if you have one, and if you don't, stop eating there. If you are intent on eating fast food, try one where they at least try to produce healthier dishes. There are some. I won't name them here so other posters don't accuse me of advertising. And pay attention to Jamie Oliver's "Food Revolution" show for scary info on what's in U.S. school lunches.

[Thumbody]

05:15 PM on 05/21/2011

Ahhhh....thank you but that would be my choice.

[eyepdtouch]

12:26 PM on 05/22/2011

Maybe schools shouldn't provide schools at all, we didn't have lunch offered in my high school.

[eyepdtouch]

12:27 PM on 05/22/2011

Pardon me, "shouldn't provide lunches"