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The comments follow claims made by Prince Charles that McDonald’s should be banned to encourage healthy eating.
Dr Susan Jebb, Head of Nutrition and Health, Medical Research Council Human Nutrition Research, said:
“If only the solution to the nation’s obesity problem was as simple as banning one type of food. The root causes of obesity are incredibly complex and solving the ticking time-bomb of disease requires a coherent overarching strategy. Ultimately it is about consumers making healthier choices but choice is driven by the environment, lifestyle and culture. We do need to change the nature of food on offer but we need a range of initiatives too.
“The Evidence:
Foods high in fat, high in added sugar and low in vegetables and fruit are very energy dense. These type of foods have been highlighted as a key risk factor in the development of obesity.
“Whilst this is typical of fast foods, energy dense foods are widely available to the consumer elsewhere; in supermarkets, shops and restaurants. This is not just a ‘fast food’ problem.
“Food eaten outside the home is frequently offered in extra-large portions, often at minimal additional cost. Research shows that large portions increase energy consumed at a single eating episode but fail to show an increased sense of fullness to suppress subsequent eating. Together this results in a greater energy intake and increased risk of weight gain.”
Laura Tripkovic, Registered Dietitian, University of Surrey, said:
“A balanced diet and regular activity are essential tools in keeping us fit and healthy. There’s no denying that the high levels of fat, salt and sugar commonly found in fast food can be detrimental to our health if consumed in excessive amounts. However, key stakeholders within the food industry (including McDonalds) are becoming aware of the consumer’s concern about their health and the importance of a ‘good’ diet. Changes to menus, such as increased availability of fruit, salad and water are evident, yet there is still a long way to go before fast food becomes nutritious food.”
Sue Baic, Lecturer in Nutrition and Public Health, University of Bristol, said:
“I believe the Prince of Wales is correct in highlighting the link between a fast food culture and increasing rates of health problems such as obesity and diabetes. Whilst no one food company is to blame, research has show that the high energy density (from both fat and sugar) and large portion sizes favoured by many fast food outlets, contributes to over consumption of calories. I commend the food companies who are taking steps to reduce portion sizes, offer attractive and comparatively priced healthier choices on their menus, incorporate fruit and vegetables in items and make point of sale nutritional information available to the consumer.”
Catherine Collins, Dietician, St George’s Healthcare NHS Trust, said:
“Prince Charles is correct to highlight that a diet high in calories from fat, especially saturated fat is not one conducive to good health, especially if the diet is devoid of fruits and vegetables. However, his comments on McDonalds are naive.
“There is littls difference in the nutritional ‘healthiness’ of a McDonalds meal compared to many other meal options, such as a Cornish pasty, or many sandwiches available from sandwich bars. Equally, analysis of most ‘high class’ restaurants demonstrate a menu equivalent or worse in total and saturated fat content per serving than McDonalds offer.
“As a dietitian, we recognise that one meal does not a whole diet make. Also, McDonald’s at least offers choice prominently displayed to enable healthier choices – fruit juice, organic semi-skimmed milk, fruit, salads, vegetable crudités. I am not an advocate of McDonald’s but do feel that they have made major inroads into the cheap end of fast foods. Prince Charles comments reflect those of a middle class with an interest in healthy and healthful foods, but with little understanding of how to interpret a healthful diet.
“Equally, choosing a ‘home made’ or ‘organic’ or ‘locally made’ product does not equate to nutritional superiority, merely to gain consumer confidence that there is some quality, sustainability and traceability of the product. That’s why manufacturers like to let you know that ‘farmer Giles in Somerset’ was responsible for your M&S milk…..the ‘Rachel’s Organic’ approach (despite the fact that this organic welsh dairy producing organic milk for 60 years despite Ministry of food in WW2 wanting them to increase yield by farming conventionally – is actually owned by an American national company – not as homespun as perhaps thought). Also, I thought that McDonald’s has one of the most stringent quality standards of production and cleanliness. It is unfair to state issues with ‘quality’ in this context.”
Erika Borkoles, Obesity Researcher, Carnegie Faculty of Sport & Education, Leeds Metropolitan University, said:
“Banning organisation like McDonald’s is not an answer to a much wider social-political issue of food regulation. The food industry has to be forced to ensure that they are transparent and responsible with their products to consumers, especially children. Unless the food industry takes responsibility for their actions, we are fighting a lost war.”
Lisa Miles, Nutrition Scientist, The British Nutrition Foundation, said:
“Obesity is a complex disorder with many contributing factors; we now live in an environment where we have ready access to food and where we do not need to be so physically active to go about our daily lives. Tackling the obesity problem requires a wide range of initiatives which aim to both increase activity levels and decrease energy intake. Unfortunately, there is not a single ‘quick fix’ measure to achieve this.”
Christine Hancock, European Director of the Oxford Health Alliance, said:
“Although Prince Charles is right to draw attention to the link between unhealthy foods, obesity and diabetes, a ban on McDonald’s is simply not the answer. If we really want to solve the obesity crisis, and prevent the onset of chronic diseases, we need to come up with a unified approach across all levels of society to ensure that the healthy choices become the easy choices – both in terms of diet as well as physical activity.
“This means encouraging employers to engage in workplace health initiatives (studies have shown that obese employees are more than twice as likely to experience high levels of absenteeism), working with retailers to make sure healthy foods are both accessible and affordable, designing communities which promote walking and cycling, and, most importantly, educating the public so that they can make informed choices.”
Professor Steve Bloom, and expert on obesity from Imperial College London, said:
“The Prince is right, of course, the traditional Big Mac is high in calories, high in saturated fat and low in fibre. It is also too big & isn’t good for health. Fortunately McDonald’s are taking action and have improved a number of these features – more fibre & low calories. There is a way to go, however!”
Professor David Thurnham, Northern Ireland Centre For Food & Health, said:
“Rather than criticizing Prince Charles, who after all is only responding to people around him, we should focus our attention on the eating habits of ‘Joe Public’. It is this, rather than anything inherently wrong with the food McDonald’s sells, which is probably responsible for our dietary problems.”