Books for the children in restaurants to attract Mom

Tue, 03/25/2008 - 07:53 — nbruce

The Bureau of Labor chart showing restaurant growth with the advent of women working outside the home shown in the March 14 WSJ (p. B2) seems to parallel the rise in obesity.

The article also reports that with a recent flattening of growth in restaurant sales by women with families, restaurants are adding features to attract women with children--books, etch-a-sketch and video games.

Then today, the USAToday features an editorial, "Feeding the obesity epidemic" whereby the author, Zinczenko, thinks information, not self-discipline and exercise, is the answer to obesity.

I don't know a person in the USA who doesn't know that Aussie Cheese Fries with ranch dressing (2900 calories, 182 g. fat) at Outback will make you fatter than a baked potato with sour cream, or that a Frappucino at Starbucks (750 cal) daily will cost you more than a coffee with cream (35 cal) in more ways than the pocket book.

Information is fine, but it won't take off the pounds unless you make choices with it.