http://www.lilsugar.com Mommy's little helper en http://www.lilsugar.com/1919386 <a href="http://www.lilsugar.com/1919386"><img width=160 height=116 src='http://media.onsugar.com/files/upl1/10/109609/36_2008/phelps.large.jpg'></div></a><p>A growing epidemic, <a href="http://www.lilsugar.com/tag/obesity" >childhood obesity</a> is an issue for many American families. <a href="http://www.lilsugar.com/1841565" >Fast food chains</a> make it easy for parents to grab meals on the go, and the low price points of sugary drinks and dollar menus make them irresistible to those on a budget. But, that won't keep the major brands from advertising to your tots or paying big time faces to promote their product. <span class="inline left"></span><br /> Groups like the <a href="http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/olympics_blog/2008/08/michael-phelp-3.html" target="_blank">Children's International Obesity Foundation</a> are irritated with golden boy Olympic swimmer <a href="http://lilsugar.com/tag/michael+phelps" >Michael Phelps</a> for signing endorsement deals with McDonald's and Kellogg's as it may encourage youngsters to steer toward those choices. While the endorsements will link the famed athlete to the brands, it may also give parents talking points. Although the championed sportsman consumes "unhealthy" fast food meals, he clearly balances his diet with lots of exercise.<br /> <a href="http://www.gettyimages.com" target="_blank">Source</a></p> <!-- no strip poll --><form action="/1919386" method="post" id="epoll_view_voting"> <div><div class="poll"> <div class="vote-form"> <div class="choices"><div class="form-item"> <label>What Do You Think of the Phelps–McDonald&#039;s Deal? </label> <div class="form-item"> <label for="id-0-1919386" class="option"><input type="radio" id="id-0-1919386" name="edit[choice]" value="0-1919386" class="form-radio" /> Good for Phelps - I think it's up to the parents to educate their children on eating habits.</label> </div> <div class="form-item"> <label for="id-1-1919386" class="option"><input type="radio" id="id-1-1919386" name="edit[choice]" value="1-1919386" class="form-radio" /> Shame on him - I wish Phelps went with another brand since kids will look up to him and his choices.</label> </div> <div class="form-item"> <label for="id-2-1919386" class="option"><input type="radio" id="id-2-1919386" name="edit[choice]" value="2-1919386" class="form-radio" /> Other - I'll tell you below.</label> </div> </div> </div><input type="hidden" name="edit[nid]" id="edit-nid" value="1919386" /> <span class='button'><span><input class='fancybutton' type='submit' name="op" value="Vote" class="form-submit" /></span></span> </div><input type="hidden" name="edit[form_id]" id="edit-form_id" value="epoll_view_voting" /> </div> </div></form> <!-- no strip poll --> http://www.lilsugar.com/1919386#comment Poll Elementary michael phelps role models mcdonald's kellogg's Fri, 05 Sep 2008 06:00:08 -0700 babysugar http://www.lilsugar.com/1919386