The Australian CEO of McDonald's said it's not the restaurant's food, but a lack of exercise that's fueling childhood obesity, the Australian Associated Press reports.
Chief executive Peter Bush said McDonald's research shows that the global restaurant chain provides just one out of every 72 meals to children.
"You've got to look at those other 71 meals kids consume that often come out of the cupboard at home," Bush told Australian government officials Thursday.
"Certainly the studies have indicated that the issue is linked to a change on lifestyle — kids exercising less, watching more TV, kids playing video games," he added.
U.S. research has shown that the childhood obesity rate is fueled by both poor eating habits and a lack of exercise. A study released in August by a nonprofit public health group found that both fast food and traditional restaurant children's meals were loaded with hidden fats and calories.
A study released by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention in May found that roughly 32 percent of American children were overweight but not obese, 16 percent were obese — defined as 30 pounds or more overweight — and 11 percent were extremely obese.
Bush added that many parents don't even allow their children to so much as walk to school anymore.
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