At a time when gym classes and recess are being cut from schools around the nation, the last thing American students need is a health curriculum encouraging them to eat fast food. Yet that's the message of a new 20-minute documentary that McDonald's has been working to promote to middle and high school health teachers.
540 Meals: Choices Make the Difference tells the story of John Cisna, an Iowa high school science teacher who achieved infamy in in 2014 for losing 56 pounds through a six-month McDonald's only diet. He claims he reached those results by maintaining a strict 2,000 calorie intake per day and adding moderate physical exercise -- which would be a completely reasonable diet and exercise regime, if he hadn't also been eating three fast food meals a day.
The message of the film, which McDonald's has been sending to schools along with a press release and discussion guide for teachers, is that eating fast food regularly has no ill effects, as long as you watch your calories and exercise several times a week. While it's certainly true that regular exercise and portion control are important for good health, McDonald's food still contains dangerously high levels of sodium and unhealthy additives that should not be a regular part of any child's diet.
After news outlets began to pick up on 504 Meals, calling it out as essentially an infomercial for the restaurant, it seems McDonald's has been attempting to cover its tracks by taking down links to the video, but that certainly doesn't excuse the fact that it was promoting this message to begin with.
This isn't the first time McDonald's has come under fire for thinly-veiled marketing in schools. The chain has also been criticized for hosting "McTeacher's Night" fundraisers, sponsoring school sports events, and even offering free breakfasts to students.
McDonald's needs to know that simply pulling this video is not good enough. Sign now to demand accountability from McDonald's and ask the company to end all efforts to promote its unhealthy meals in schools!
