This is a good question. Are fast food restaurants to blame for the childhood obesity epidemic? Does that toy in the kids’ meal make them gain weight? I think we should look at this issue rationally.

How the blame game fails our children: If we can blame someone else for what is wrong, then we can absolve ourselves. I include myself in this, there are many issues in which I am guilty of the same. However, that is not going to reverse this epidemic. Guilt is what my mother calls a “willy word.” It might make you feel better, but it’s no use.

it’s our job: Can schools, restaurants and the rest of society help in this area? Absolutely. It’s his responsability? No. No, it’s my job and yours. It is the task of parents to educate their children about good nutrition, the need to exercise, etc.

That’s not going to be easy, we have a lot of competition for your attention. 300 channels on TV, computers, game stations, and other things take up time that could be spent outside playing (ie, getting some exercise). If all the adults in your household work, planning, shopping for, and preparing a nutritious meal will cut down on the little time you have after and before work. On the other hand, I don’t think parenting has ever been easy.

Teaching menu reading: Young children will not understand the menus, so you will have to do it for them. Fortunately, many fast food chains offer healthier options for their young customers. However, once they’re old enough to look at the adult menu with longing, it’s time to introduce them to the nutrition facts.

While this information should be displayed at chain restaurants, most often at a fast food place it is on a wall and in type 2 font. However, this information is also often found on the corporate website. Show your child the calorie count, fat/sodium/cholesterol content, etc. Then explain what that means in terms of what they can eat over the next two days…a fast food hamburger often consumes two days of fat and at least one part of sodium.

Vote with your Wallet: Fast food restaurants are in business to make money. If you don’t buy it, they will stop making it. Reward restaurants that offer healthy foods on their menus by shopping there and buying the produce. This will encourage them to find more healthy items to add to their menus.

Childhood obesity is such a big problem that it is now considered a threat to national security. While our society should do everything it can to help us, it really is our job as parents to address the problem.