A new study says parents are feeding their kids more fast food.
In 2010, researchers found that 79% of parents they surveyed reported purchasing lunch or dinner for their child at one of the four largest fast food restaurants. In 2016, 91% of parents reported doing the same.
“Fast food is really convenient, it’s really cheap and kids love it,” says Dr. Jennifer Harris, lead author of the study at the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity ant the University of Connecticut.
She says many parents think they are making healthier choices for their children.
“The reason they think that is because the restaurants have introduced healthier drinks and healthier sides, like 100% juice and milk and apple slices. The rest of the meal is still unhealthy. Chicken nuggets are still high in sodium and fat. But they’ve made a big deal about their healthy options now.”
Governor Brown signed a bill into law that requires kids’ meals in California to include a healthy drink automatically.
“The problem is that fast food has too many calories, too much fat, too much sodium, too much sugar.”
Dr. Harris was a guest on McIntyre in the Morning.
By Sandy Wells
KABC News
