DALLAS – Voices for Healthy Kids volunteer, Dr. Clyde Yancy, issued the following comments recently on a new Fast Food FACTS report released by the Yale Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity that shows restaurants have a long way to go to encourage kids to eat healthier:
"This new report underscores the need for parents to know the nutritional value about foods marketed to their children. Parents still make most of the food purchases for their children and the American Heart Association is concerned that certain unhealthy food products are heavily marketed to children, thus increasing demand for those unhealthy foods. Raising healthy kids is possible but wise food choices are necessary. Marketing is a powerful driver of choice and when food marketing practices emphasize high caloric unhealthy foods shown to increase caloric intake, our children, especially those who are already obese, are at risk.
Consumers want healthier choices. Marketing works both ways—it can drive healthier food choices. Research shows that when companies market and sell healthier products, it can be good for their bottom line. Restaurants should not only provide healthy options, but also advertise these healthier choices to parents and children and make transparent the nutritional value of all food choices. As consumers we seek information to make informed decisions on nearly every purchase. Why not food?
This would be a win for parents who want to feed their children healthier foods; a win for their children who need better nutrition; and a win for the restaurants that have gained the trust of their consumers."
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