Reducing the amount of calories contained in meals for children can bring about a host of positive effects says New York City Councilor Benjamin J. Kallos. The lawmaker, who represents Manhattan's Upper East Side and Roosevelt Island, has proposed a new 'Happy Meals' bill that seeks to slash 54 calories from meals marketed towards kids.
'They must also be limited to 500 calories or less, with fewer than 35 percent of calories coming from fat, fewer than 10 percent coming from saturated fat, fewer than 10 percent from added sugars, and fewer than 600 milligrams of sodium.' Is the official mandate set by Kallos' bill.
The press release for the prospective legislation cites a study from the American Journal of Preventive Medicine which analyzed the effects of high calorie kiddie meals on their target market.
The data, which was gathered from receipts belonging to 358 adults, showed that parents purchase an average of 600 calories per child. 36 percent of those coming from fat. The study also revealed that 98 percent of kids meals did not meet the criteria set in the 'Happy Meals' bill.
If these meals were to adhere to Kallos' proposed standards, there would be a nine percent drop in calories as well as a 10 percent decline in sodium and calories from fat.
"While 54 calories at a given meal is a small reduction, small changes that affect a wide number of people can make a large impact," said Brian Elbel, PhD, lead author on the study. "Passing the bill could be a step in the right direction, though no single policy can singlehandedly eliminate childhood obesity." He adds.
The press release also mentions that similar legislation has already been passed in California.
