"I don't know who is to blame," Mr Easterbrook says. "The issue of obesity is complex and is absolutely one our society is facing, there's no denial about that, but if you break it down I think there's an education piece: how can we better communicate to individuals the importance of a balanced diet and taking care of themselves? Then there's a lifestyle element: there's fewer green spaces and kids are sat home playing computer games on the TV when in the past they'd have been burning off energy outside.

Plus the people are eating complete shit. Added that last bit myself. Of course he does have a point. I haven't participated in any organized outdoor activities since I learned to forge my mother's name back in high school. Eating completely worthless McDonald's crap constantly can only be countered by arduous physical activity, and despite reports to the contrary, playing with your Wii doesn't count.

When it comes to the question of obesity, here is my opinion. You can eat right and play video games all day long and still be relatively slim. You can eat horrible, grease-soaked garbage and exercise regularly and still maintain a nice figure. You can't do both.

Big Macs and healthy profits - how the fast food giant fought back [Times Online via MCV]

Spyro the Dragon to Scorch Wendy's Restaurants This Fall

Popular Sierra Entertainment Franchise Featured in Nationwide Kid's Meal Promotion

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 12 /PRNewswire/ — Sierra Entertainment, a division of Vivendi Games, today announced a nationwide promotion with Wendy's, coinciding with the launch of The Legend of Spyro: The Eternal Night.

Beginning October 8, 2007, the four-week promotion features one of five Spyro premium items and a coupon with each purchase of a Wendy's Kids' Meal at participating Wendy's restaurants nationwide, while supplies last.

"Not only are we offering a variety of nutritious Kids' Meal options — from low-fat milk and yogurt to mandarin oranges and turkey sandwiches — we're focusing on promotional extensions that bring families together in entertaining, engaging ways," said Ana Hernandez, Wendy's diversity marketing director.

Featured premium item characters from the new video game include the Sparx Flyer, Flapping Spyro, a Spyro Keychain, Spyro Checkers and Ruby Reveal. The panel of each Kids' Meal bag also will feature a $5 off coupon from GameStop for any platform of The Legend of Spyro: The Eternal Night.

"The Spyro the Dragon franchise has reached families all over the world," said Al Simone, senior vice president of Global Marketing, Sierra Entertainment. "After millions and millions of video games sold, it's great to be able to extend the brand by offering fun toys and games to Wendy's customers."

The Legend of Spyro: The Eternal Night is the latest installment in the 20 million-unit-selling Spyro franchise and a continuation of the new The Legend of Spyro trilogy of video games. The Legend of Spyro: The Eternal Night is currently available for the PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system, Wii(TM), Game Boy(R) Advance, Nintendo DS(TM) and available in early November for mobile phones. The Legend of Spyro: The Eternal Night will carry an MSRP of $39.99 for the PlayStation(R)2 system, $49.99 Wii(R), $29.99 Game Boy Advance and $29.99 for Nintendo DS.

So far, I can spot some kind of wii-mote shootin' pog thing, a mario on a shell (that is controlled with a wii-mote?), a set of boxes (wheeee!), a mini baseball game, and an excite truck. All of that, plus sweet, delicious fat for only $2.99? Let's go get us some burgers! Kim Phu

Wendy's Wii Toy Line Up [Go Nintendo]

If you want to unload that PS3 for a "lifetime" of tacos (meaning $12,500 in Taco Bell Bucks), Taco Bell will gladly exchange your shiny new PlayStation 3 for said fake money. It's all for a good cause, as the console will be donated to the Boys & Girls Club.

You better act fast. As in right now. This is a first come, first served, one-time offer to clog your arteries with decades of chalupas and teeny burritos. E-mail your name, e-mail address, and phone number to tacobellnews@tacobell.com and let 'em know you want tons of tacos!

Read the full press release after the jump, but make it quick! Michael McWhertor

Taco Bell Offers Tacos for Life for PlayStation 3

Company Will Then Donate PlayStation 3 to a Boys and Girls Club Teen Center

IRVINE, Calif.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Now here's an offer to play with: Taco Bell announced today that it is offering a lifetime of Taco Bell food ($12,500 in Taco Bell Bucks) in exchange to the first person who agrees to trade his or her new PlayStation 3 Game Console. Taco Bell will then donate the next generation game console to the Stanton teen center of the Boys & Girls Club. Taco Bell and its Taco Bell Foundation supports teen programs nationwide through the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

"The PlayStation 3 is on every teen's holiday wish list," said Bob Fulmer, Executive Director, Taco Bell Foundation. "That's why we're offering one lucky individual tacos for life in exchange for giving Boys & Girls Club teens a gift that will keep them in the game."

The tacos will be awarded in the form of $12,500 in TACO BELL Bucks, redeemable at participating Taco Bell locations. The party exchanging the PlayStation 3 is solely responsible for payment of all taxes, income and otherwise, and should consult with his/her tax adviser. Interested PlayStation 3 owners should send their name, email and phone number to tacobellnews@tacobell.com. The first person to respond, based on the time the email is received, and then send their PlayStation 3 will be awarded the Taco Bell Bucks. Offer expires December 1, 2006 at 6:00 p.m. PST.

About Taco Bell Foundation

The Taco Bell Foundation, a non-profit 501(c) 3 corporation, has raised more than $16 million to support teen programs at Boys & Girls Clubs of America since 1995 with the help of on-going customer, franchisee and employee donations. As the largest supporter of teens at Boys & Girls Clubs nationwide, the Taco Bell Foundation has helped develop Club initiatives to provide youth with support, mentoring, job training, and counseling to develop leadership skills, character and values. More than one million teens are impacted annually through these programs.

About Taco Bell

Taco Bell Corp., a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc., (NYSE:YUM), is the nation's leading Mexican-style quick service restaurant chain serving tacos, burritos, signature Quesadillas, Grilled Stuft Burritos, nachos and other specialty items. Taco Bell serves more than 35 million consumers each week in nearly 5,800 restaurants in the U.S. "Think Outside the Bun " and visit www.tacobell.com.

PlayStation 3 is a trademark owned by Sony Computer Entertainment, Inc., who is not affiliated with or participating in this offer in any way.

On an extremely slow news day, I give you this bouncing little McDonald's commercial featuring Mario and Mario toys. I bet you can find as many "acrobatic little goombas" on eBay as you could possibly want. Thanks, Siliconera.

In continuing Mario-in-league-with-fatness news, Kotaku Scout Lyle sends in the following heads-up:

Hey, I just got my little sister a happy meal from McDonald's when she informed me that the next line of happy meal toys was going to be "Mario and Friends." I asked her where she saw this and she showed me the bottom of the little happy meal box, thought people would want to know, thanks!

No, Lyle. Thank you. Eliza Gauger