Ethics and the Golden Arches

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Cover Page 1

Table of Contents 2

Executive Summary 3

Background

1 General Atmosphere 4

2 McDonalds 6

a. History 6

b. Charity 6

3 Parham vs. McDonalds 7

a. General 7

b. Supporters 8

c. Opponents 8

Conflicting Studies

1 National Bureau Of Economic Research: Working Paper 15862 9

2 Fast Food FACTS: Evaluating Fast Food and Marketing to Youth 9

Ethical Evaluation 10

Conclusion 16

Executive Summary

A health crisis is sweeping the nation and if left unchecked, the economic health of America could be crushed under its enormous weight. As portion sizes have increased and exercise has decreased, the rate of childhood obesity has tripled in the last 30 years. Last May, President Obama established the Task Force on Childhood Obesity to eradicate this problem “within a generation.” Because children today are being increasingly diagnosed with obesity-related illnesses previously only seen in adults, health care costs have escalated and if allowed to go unchecked will grow to about 21% of health care spending by 2018, according to a 2009 report conducted by the American Public Health Association . As health care costs have risen a spotlight is being shined on the burgeoning fast food industry that many argue should be held responsible and liable for this crisis.

Today McDonalds, the world’s largest fast food chain , has been criticized for marketing Happy Meals to children. Arguably no kid’s menu item has been more popular and profitable in the world than the toy containing Happy Meal. McDonalds has released thousands of varieties of toys over the last 30 years, many of which