The Staton Jones Report

McDonalds is exploring ways to encorage it's adult and obese customers to exercise more. In an article in the NY Times, the food giant is promoting a "Go Active! Adult Happy Meal" product containing "a salad, bottled water, and even a pedometer and literature explaining the benefits of walking."

McDonald's action comes at a time when the fast-food industry is dealing with widespread criticism and legal challenges about its contribution to poor health and obseity. Surveys and government studies show that more than 60 percent of adults and 20 percent of children are now overweight or obese, and consumers filing lawsuits blaming fast-food makers for their wide girths.

KFC has tried to market its fried chicken as part of a healthy diet. Ads for Subway Restaurants show real people holding loose-fitting clothing and bragging that they lost weight by sticking to a healthy sandwich diet. And Wendy's is touting its spinach salads.

The companies say they are not responding to public criticism or the threat of lawsuits. But there is undoubtedly more pressure on them to offer healthier fare. Two bills before Congress would require restaurants to provide diners with nutritional information about meals.

In Canada, there is much political debate over an effort to impose a "fat tax" on fast food products (defined as costing <$4CDN). Liberals point out that this tax is highly regressive, hitting the poorest consumers the hardest.

This is a complex issue because of the fact that literally everyone must eat, and imposing taxes or new products to steer people towards a more healthy lifestyle is a difficult task made more so because of the ethical and legal issues it raises about the relationship between State and Citizen.