Letter: Blame for Happy Meals misdirected

It is interesting that the letter writer blames McDonald's for the obese children in this country ["Apples in Happy Meals insufficient," Aug. 3]. She states that this corporation is creating the problem that makes our children unhealthy and overweight.

This would be the same as blaming liquor stores for alcohol addiction and the availability of cigarettes for lung cancer. What she does not acknowledge is that individuals are responsible for their own behavior.

The major contributing factor of childhood obesity is not the existence of McDonalds but the fact that the parents of these children are giving them the money to buy food in these establishments. Additionally, many parents provide their families with fast food on a regular basis, rather than take the time to cook a healthy, nourishing meal.

Childhood obesity could be eliminated if only parents would become more involved in what their children consume during the day.

Jeff Cohn, Lido Beach