McDonald's Funds Obesity Research

Filed in archive News on September 16, 2006

Is it a case of a guilty conscience? An attempt to divert attention away from accusations? Or just a delicious case of irony? McDonald's had people scratching their heads in wonder after the announcement that the fast food giant would be providing financial backing for a major study on obesity.

McDonald's, the fast-food company trying to shake off the phrase "Super Size me," has announced a $2 million grant to Scripps that will pay for a new La Jolla, Calif.-based McDonald's Center for Type 2 Diabetes and Obesity, as well as diabetes testing and education for poor kids.

At a time when American children are growing fatter and money for science is growing leaner, the pairing of McDonald's and Scripps might not sound as natural as a burger and fries.

McDonald's, after all, is known for Big Macs; Scripps is known for big discoveries. McDonald's has deep-fryers. Scripps has deep thinkers.

Never before has the restaurant chain financed scientific research, spokesman William Whitman said.

Whatever the motivation, perhaps some good will be done.