The Weekly Skinny: All the healthy news you need (5-21-10)

FatFighterTV







Can Ronald McDonald be forced into retirement? Should he be? FatFighterTV has a look at this story and other diet and fitness headlines making news this week.

Can Ronald McDonald be forced to retire?
A corporate watch dog group protested in Chicago this week for McDonald's to retire Ronald McDonald, saying the popular mascot is helping fuel childhood obesity by marketing unhealthy foods to kids.The Boston based Corporate Accountability International launched its campaign to retire Ronald McDonald in late March. McDonald's says the "beloved brand ambassador" is here to stay.

American Heart Association teams up with Nintendo to fight obesity
The American Heart Association (AHA) has paired up withJapanese entertainment giant, Nintendo and its Wii consoles to encourage Americans to exercise more to fight the skyrocketing obesity problem. Nintendo is working with the AHA to cut the risks of heart disease in the U.S., and will have the AHA logo on its active-play video game products including the Wii, the Wii Fit Plus, and the Wii Sports Resort.
Research shows active video games like Wii Fit can boost kids' activity levels and help them burn calories.

Big food companies pledge to cut 1.5 trillion calories
Last week, the new obesity task force announced its plans to end the epidemic included developing or reformulating food products to make them healthier. Now, some of the nation's largest food companies say they will cut 1.5 trillion calories from their products by 2015 to help fight childhood obesity. To make that goal, the companies pledge to launch lower-calorie foods, change product recipes, and reduce portion sizes.

Don't miss a thing! Sign up here for FatFighterTV's free daily updates, get the e-book - Recipes and Tips for Healthy, Thrifty Meals - for FREE!

[photo credit: Getty Images]