It's a shame that fast food restaurants are going to continue throwing this in kids' faces through advertising. Bet they won't bother showing them the risks their taking when they eat disgusting animal corpses. Thanks for telling them Peta!

Posted by: Pete | September 10, 2008 05:27 PM

I KNOW THIS WILL GET EVERYONE TALKING IN TEXAS.

Posted by: SASHA | September 10, 2008 05:29 PM

I know there are going to be quite a few people who are going to disagree with this, but i totally agree. I didn't become a vegetarian (or as my friends call it a veggie killer, cuz i call them animal killers) until about a 1 year and 1/2 years ago. Before then i never thought about it. you know there are people that eat deer and squirrels? I seen deer two days ago at about 6am and people on my bus were going "LETS SHOOT EM", i was like... "What the...." this society is teaching people to be violent. Seriously. when i see deer & squirrels i think they are soooooo adorable!! So anyway, i totally agree with this, if my mom would stop feeding my brother meat he wouldnt be so fat like he is now. and if she didnt feed me meat when i was younger, i wouldnt be fat now.

F**K MEAT!!

Posted by: Amber Falobas | September 10, 2008 08:00 PM

You do realize that obesity isn't just caused by meat? It's a number of things, including physical activity and meatless Twinkies.

Sugar, actually, more than meat contributes to childhood obesity.

Posted by: Caitlin | September 10, 2008 09:56 PM

As a mother of two a four year daughter & a nine month old son. I am so happy that Peta is pointing out the importance to good eating habits from the begining. It is the best gift you can give your child. Thank you so much for all your hard work!

Posted by: Crystal | September 10, 2008 11:46 PM

Oops, I wrote "their" instead of "they're." How embarrassing.

Posted by: Pete | September 11, 2008 07:08 AM

I knew it! I'm going to sue my mom now. No wonder I weigh 342 pounds, and I am only 12 years old. She gives me turkey EVERY THANKSGIVING! It's hard to talk about now, because it's such a sensitive subject, but I've finally decided to get a lawyer and press charges. STAND UP FOR YOURSELF! DON'T BE ASHAMED TO TALK ABOUT BEING VIOLATED AND ABUSED!

Posted by: Tom | September 11, 2008 12:58 PM

Just wanted to put my hands up and let Amber know that I eat both deer and squirrels. Both animals have to be culled every year on a National Trust estate near me. I believe it is ethical to eat animals which have lead a good life and are going to be culled as a part of estate management - they aren't killed for me to eat.

Posted by: Dita | September 11, 2008 01:24 PM

I'M NOT A VEGAN BUT POOR KID.

Posted by: ERICA | September 11, 2008 02:32 PM

I am from Oklahoma and have friends in Lubbock, TX. I am a strict vegetarian and PETA member. However, I have to say I don't think this is the right approach to take in this region of the U.S. You're talking about the heart of the beef industry and most people in this area think "PETA people" are crazy anyway. I think the "child abuse" theme is going to drive people further away from PETA and the positive attributes of becoming a vegetarian. We need to help bring people to it, not drive them away. I hope PETA will take this into careful consideration.

Posted by: Dani | September 11, 2008 02:32 PM

Caitlin,

It's true that meat is not the only contributing factor to obesity. Nonetheless, studies always show that vegetarians and vegans are slimmer. So going meat-free certainly helps.

Posted by: Mike Quinoa | September 11, 2008 02:39 PM

I think that Peta billboards should go up in all of the states, and in every county. The bigger the county the more billboards. They should even have dead animals on them to even stop crulity to the animals and some about fur. Therefore, everybody would not only know about obesity but animal crulity. Its a win win!

Posted by: Holly | September 11, 2008 03:55 PM

I agree that feeding your child and not controlling their weight till they can't walk, is abuse. But just feeding your child meat is not child abuse. I am a peta member and i donate regularly. I only by peta approved humane products. I guess i just feel that today in the US everybody is busy raising everybody else's child and not worrying about their own. "Child Abuse " is a very strong word with heavy implications and should be thrown around just for "shock" value.

Posted by: Jose | September 11, 2008 04:41 PM

Hiya! Can I firstly say that i had a wee giggle at Amber and Tom's comments. Fab.

Secondly; about 'child cruelty...' The definition of this term (according to moi) is not respecting your child: over-feeding or starving/neglecting them, physically or psychologically abusing them. You have to be careful- unfortunately everyone already thinks that us veggies are mental. You can't really start throwing around strong phrases such as CHILD ABUSE etc etc. Doesn't help our cause I'm afraid. It will alienate the meat-eaters. We can't hate them because all of us contributing to this blog probably all used to eat meat?...correct me if I'm wrong...

How about highlighting how meat/chicken/pork actually have v little nutritional value (if any), and show how switching to veggie-ism is beneficial in COUNTLESS ways??

Oh! also; hardly anyone has heard 'bout PETA in Britain & Ireland...Something needs done about that...

Ta muchly

Posted by: Broon | September 11, 2008 06:36 PM

I don't think that just because you eat meat or feed your children meat,that you are abusing them in anyway!I agree that we need to rethink our way of killing them animals,we need to do it humanly.I only buy products that are NOT ANIMAL TESTED AND I DON'T LIKE FUR EITHER,BUT THE MEAT IS WERE I DRAW THE LINE AS LONG AS IT'S DONE HUMANLY THEN IT SHOULD NOT MATTER IF A PERSON EATS MEAT OR NOT.Also I STRONGLY DISAGREE WITH PETA ON THIS ISSUE BECAUSE,
1.THEIR ARE CHILDREN WHO ARE REALLY TRULY BEING ABUSED.PSYCAILLY,EMOTIONALLY,SEXURALLY
AN TO USE THAT TERM THAT LOOSLY IS A DISGRACE TO THE REAL VICTIMS OF ABUSE.NO A CHILD,SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO BECOME 300LBS,BUT THAT IS NOT ONLY CAUSED FROM MEAT IT IS CAUSED FROM LACK OF EXERCISE,POOR DIETS,UNLIMITED SUGARY FOODS AND SOFT DRINKS.To that girl who said she was gonna sue her parents,your parents brought you into this world,so yes,they are partly to blame but you are ALSO 12YRS OLD IT IS TIME YOU STARTED TAKING RESPOUNSIBILITY FOR YOUR OWN WEIGHT PROBLEMS AND QUIT BLAMING EVERYONE ELSE!What is stopping you from talking to your parents and having them take you to a nutrionist?I,am overweight to but as you grow up,like me you will see that your parents are not all to blame for your weight!

Posted by: pamela | September 11, 2008 07:10 PM

Wait a minute. Actually, I went vegetarian in January, and have gained 28 pounds since then.

Posted by: Jimbo | September 11, 2008 09:03 PM

I don't know about getting thinner on a vegetarian diet, that didn't work for me . . however I changed my ways for the sake of the animals, not to lose weight. There is truth to this . . . there are too many parents that feed their kids nothing but meat, sickening to me for two reasons . . condoning violence and teaching very poor eating habits . . sad to say, but let all those cruel eaters have health problems.

Posted by: Nancy | September 11, 2008 11:46 PM

i think that this kid done this to himself by sitting on his backside, not getting any exercise. food is not the reason, hes just a lazy drain opn society

Posted by: Fendo | September 12, 2008 01:57 AM

The biggest cop-out in the world is that meat eaters say "the cow (or deer or squirrels) was already dead. It wasn't killed just for me. So it is ok to eat the meat". Well, no it isn't. If no one was there to eat it, no one would bother to kill the animals. People shouldn't lie to themselves. Besides, animals have feelings, too. Could you eat your brother or sister?

Posted by: Linda Davidson | September 12, 2008 06:04 AM

Dita,

"Culling" is a delusional argument. If there were too many humans, would it be "ethical" to cull them? No deer or squirrel would ever consent to being killed, but "might is right", and so we kill them because we can.

Posted by: Mike Quinoa | September 12, 2008 12:10 PM

Broon, I really don't know what you are talking about saying meat has "little if any, nutrional value." As a former wreslter I can tell you I laid off the high protein foods when I was cutting weight for a meet or tourney. I ate nothing but fruits, vegitables and other low fat foods. I also ran, exercised and lifted almost everyday. I was in great shape, but I felt tired and run down all the time. However, when there was a week in b/t matches I would eat one meal filled with meat. The next day I could see a huge difference in strength and performance. Looking back I should have wrestled my natural weight so I could have stayed that strong throughout the year.
The same was true when I played football, I ate anything and everything and I never felt stronger in my life.
Meat has a high calorie content and alot of protein. If you are active, both are good for you.

Posted by: Kurt K | September 12, 2008 12:41 PM

Having kids, is just like having pets, is a cruel and stupid tradition from times gone by. People used to have animals and kids to help run the farm. We don't live on farms anymore and do not need any more people or animals on the planet. The population of the planet is beyond the carrying capacity. The kids and pets are forced to live unnatural lives for the sake of their parent's vanity and greed. Kids are left alone when they want to be with the family and instead are directed to watch tv commercials about drinking milk, violence and sex. The kids and pets are fed unnatural foods that make them sick and are usually neglected. The kids and pets are forced to live life in a long series of confinements. From car seats to fenced yards to windowless school rooms and urban landscapes with little or no opportunity to live as nature intended. The only way to save the planet is to stop having kids and pets NOW!

Posted by: sundance | September 12, 2008 12:51 PM

Kurt K,

If you ate nothing but low-calorie fruits and vegetables and other low-fat foods, you most likely would feel run down. You have to eat beans, nuts and seeds, and to some degree grains, to get your calorie count up. These foods will give you the fat and protein you require.

There are wrestlers and bodybuilders that seem to do fine on a veg or vegan diet.

Posted by: Mike Quinoa | September 12, 2008 02:01 PM

Mike Quinoa

Culling is a necessary part of estate management. If culling does not take place then the land is unable to support the amount of wildlife residing there. The alternative is to sit back and allow a large amount of animals to die a slow and painful death, brought on by starvation.

Posted by: Dita | September 12, 2008 02:26 PM

I agree with Holly - "Child Abuse " is a very strong word with heavy implications and should be thrown around just for shock value. & eating meat is not any form of child abuse. Kids are fat because they have NO physical activity in their lives! Meat provides nutrients that veggies cannot provide. I am all for feeding your kids meat but like any other food, it needs to be portioned correctly.

Posted by: Dawn | September 12, 2008 03:55 PM

Dita,

Why not investigate non-lethal methods such as birth control, relocation, etc.? I live near a large woods that contains many wild squirrels, and I've never seen a starving one.

Are you killing just the old and sick deer, while controlling male-to-female ratios?

Strangely enough, deer were able to control their own populations before the interference of man. When food is scarce, male deer become less fertile, and females may even cease ovulating. This naturally keeps the population in check.

If culling is so successful, why does it have to be performed every year?

Posted by: Mike Quinoa | September 12, 2008 04:19 PM

Mike Q
Notice that I said later on in my post that I wish that I had stayed at my normal weight throughout wrestling. When I got out of football season I was in great shape. I probably weighed around 170lbs. I lost 18lbs to wrestle 152lbs. I couldn't afford to eat fat or high calorie diets when I was losing that much weight, especially as fast as I had to lose it. From the end of football to the first wrestling meet was only month. That is a lot of weight to lose in a month.
I was just simply pointing out that meat gave me almost instant strength. That and shots of honey right before matches.
Broon said meat had little value, which is not true.
Of course if you eat a ton of it without exercise you will gain a ton of weight. Its not rocket surgery.
If you eat alot of one thing it isn't good for you, no matter what that one thing is.
Am I wrong?

Posted by: Kurt K | September 12, 2008 04:22 PM

Dawn said, "Meat provides nutrients that veggies cannot provide."

Which ones?

Remember, a vegetarian diet consists of not just veggies, but also fruits, grains, legumes, nuts and seeds, and if you're a lacto-ovo, eggs and dairy also.

Posted by: Mike Quinoa | September 12, 2008 04:29 PM

Hiya Kurt K thanks for your comment. You have a good point, i see where you're coming from.

Meat affects people in different ways i suppose. What i should've said is that you can be totally 100% veggie and have a high iron count, like me. You can eat veg/pulses that have a higher content of protein, iron & omega 3/6 than meat/chicken/fish.

Therefore I believe PETA should continue to illustrate to folk that you don't have to eat animals to survive, quite the opposite in fact. RATHER than saying, ''feeding kids meat is child cruelty'' it's just a tad melodramatic, that's all i'm getting at.

I know i seem a bit daft saying that meat has little or no nutritional value, but with the introduction of mass-farming, e.g. battery farms for hens/chickens (due to farmers being paid pennies by supermarkets nowadays) I'm afraid this is true.

Kind Regards

Posted by: Broon | September 12, 2008 07:37 PM

Kurt K,

Okay, now I get your point.

Meat is a calorie-dense food, and would seem very substantial after just eating fruit and veg. Your iron may have also been down a tad. Do you think the meat and strength thing could be partly psychological though?

And yes, I agree that balance, moderation, and variety in your food is the best thing (but I'm not going to say you need to eat meat - lol).

Posted by: Mike Quinoa | September 13, 2008 05:01 PM

Hi. I'm actually from Lubbock, Tx. Im glad that PETA is going to place a billboard like that in my hometown. But what about in other metros? I think everyone needs to see this. And maybe encourage excersise as well! What do yall think?

Posted by: Natasha D. | September 14, 2008 12:31 PM

Mike and Broon,
Don't get me wrong either. I'm not just a meat and potato type of a guy. Although I do like both. I understand the benefits of vegatbles and fruits. I enjoy both very much. In fact I just figured out a couple months ago that I love steamed broccoli and cauliflower. I don't doubt that you can survive off of just fruits, vegs, nuts, etc, I just don't share the same beliefs about animals as you two. Does that make me a bad person? To some probably, to others not so much.
I don't know where I am going with this, but it has been nice talking with you two.
Later!

Posted by: Kurt K | September 15, 2008 04:36 PM

It's not a "belief" that animals are suffering right now in slaughterhouses and factory farms. That is a FACT. If you are a cold hearted aloof machine, then maybe this information means nothing to you or maybe you are too dumb to process it and deny your responsibility for causing them to suffer in such hell. But do keep in mind...if we put you in a cow suit, pig suit, or chicken suit, well we'd all happily slaughter you and eat you too! Yippee! What a great violent species where self pleasure/sense gratification matters more than someone's life! I'm sure child rapists feel the same way. I love this planet so much that I hope humans all die tomorrow.

BTW, humans are overpopulated and starving, therefore they should be "culled" like the deer.

Is forcing a child to eat meat child abuse? YES. I was forced to eat meat and now I have a certain percentage of coronary artery disease. The damage is done to all children in this country as early as age 10. They risked my like with e-coli, mad cow disease as well as parasites such as ascaris that are found in meat.

Posted by: Shelby | September 15, 2008 05:07 PM

Kurt,

Getting a variety of opinions here is what keeps it interesting. I would have to dump just about all of my friends and family if I didn't want to associate with meat-eaters, so I can't see any benefit in being judgmental. People like yourself who voice well-expressed alternate opinions make the rest of us explore things a bit more deeply, and that's a good thing.

Posted by: Mike Quinoa | September 15, 2008 09:22 PM

Mike, I love debating with my vegitarian friends. Sometimes it gets a little heated, but everything does when you present opposite opinions. I can't wait for our next debate!

Shelby,
Are you suggesting that we humans kill ourselves for the sake of the planet? Thats a little harsh don't you think? But, if that is the way you feel, you go first and I will follow after you. Just make sure you go first though.

Posted by: Kurt K | September 16, 2008 12:11 PM

Shelby: You are absolutely right about humans being overpopulated. I have to laugh every time I hear someone talk about culling animals to save the environment. What a joke. I think more people are starting to recognize the truth (I certainly hope so) and I believe things are going to start to improve for the planet....

Posted by: Antigone1000 | September 17, 2008 12:54 AM

Kurt K,

As a physician and former not-very-good wrestler, I would like to point out that you provided the answer for your lack of energy, and it had nothing to do with meat or vegetables...you cut 10% of your weight!

"Looking back I should have wrestled my natural weight so I could have stayed that strong throughout the year."

Of course you would feel almost instant energy from a high protein/calorie meal, especially since your "diet" left out veggie sources of protein, etc. Likely you and your trainer/coach had no clue at the time on a proper vegetarian diet, which in addition to your excessive weight cutting led to your lack of energy.

I am not knocking your (at the time) highschool knowledge of a balanced vegetarian diet, as my wife had been a "vegetarian" for 5 years before I met her, and she ate mostly french fries. Her diet has changed greatly in the last 11 years, and we are raising two kids as vegetarians; at least we will when our 2 month old starts eating solids!

There are medical studies and even some controversial recommendations of starting lipid lowering medications on appropriate pediatric patients, although the term "appropriate" is currently being debated. I haven't checked on any updates in the past 2 months, but here is the last official statement I read:

http://www.aap.org/advocacy/releases/july08lipidscreening.htm

There is also a CBS article on the topic:

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/07/07/health/main4235922.shtml

There is no misprint - the statment supports screening obese/diabetic/hypertensive children starting as young as age 2 with cholestrol lowering therapy (Statins) as young as 8 years old. I prefer preventative guidance over this recommendation, but the statement alone gives more "weight" to what I say to my patients in regards to their obese children and dietary/lifestyle modification.

Posted by: Derek, MD | September 17, 2008 12:44 PM

Derek,
I take all that you say seriouisly and I would never challenge the way anybody raises their children. Unless of course they are deliberately and physically abusing their children. I am glad to see a parent doing what they believe is the best for their children. It warms the heart.
I know that when I lost that much weight it had alot to do with the fact I lost so much of my body fat. I know there were better ways of accomplishing the same goal. Knowing what I know now, it would have been much easier for me. But, it is in the past now and I can't do anything about it.
However, I was only responding to a comment that I read that said meat had little to no dietary value. I was just pointing out that is obviously did.
But thanks for the advice. I will try to include some of that in my diet.

Posted by: Kurt K | September 17, 2008 01:39 PM

I can give peta a run for thier money about opinions against aniaml cruelty and cruelty of any way and I hardly see how eating meat is abuse. Although, being veg. is healthier well maybe not healthier but you lose weight faster the first week I was veg. I lost 10 pounds!!

Posted by: katie | September 18, 2008 08:48 PM

i was looking to find what to feed my kids instead of meat. i am a lover of meat but just recently i have seen where my steak comes from. you can see when you look in a animals eyes it is scared, completely in fear of its life. that tells me these animals have a soul. not to mention if you watch them, they are parents just like us.these animals stay and take care of thier babies just like we do.now i as a mom can tell you any parent who has tried to feed thier babies meat for the first MONTH OR MORE has to sneak in the meat. the baby gags. after the third baby , and the same reaction i've realized, maybe we are'nt supposed to be eating meat. they don't gag when fed anything else so why meat? I GUESS YOU COULD CALL THIS FOOD FOR THOUGHT. AS FOR THE PEOPLE WHO GO HUNTING FOR SPORT.....HOW WOULD YOU FEEL IF WE WERN'T AT THE TOP OF THE FOOD CHAIN? HOW WOULD YOU LIKE IT IF IT WAS YOURSELF AND YOUR LOVED ONES WHO WERE THE HUNTED? i have just now realized this is not what we should be eating, so now what do i feed my babies in place of meat?

Posted by: deanne catalano | September 22, 2008 10:14 AM

Obesity is the result of poor parenting and that should be considered child abuse - kids don't ask for this stuf until you let them try it. Feeding your kids anything just as long as its convenient for you is child abuse...whether it's a big mac, french fries, soda or a twinkee. High sugar, saturated fat and hydrogenized oils are to blame regardless if the source is from meat or non meat products. High meat diets are not good for you but there is something called the food chain in nature...an occasional piece of animal protein - humanly raise w/out hormones or drugs, humanely slaughtered and completely utilized is how many societies and cultures did it for thousands of years...common sesne.

Posted by: some one with common sense | January 4, 2009 12:50 PM

This is an outrageous claim. I can'r believe the ASA passed this ad.

Posted by: Rob | January 30, 2009 01:18 PM

I actually live in Lubbock, TX and I have NEVER heard this story. I personally dont think it is becuase the child ate meat. It is the fact that the meat he chose to eat was hamburgers and pizza.It is also due to the fact that he probably ate many may sweets like so many kids today do. I personally love meat but I also excercise and eat oter healthy foods as well. If your choice is to be vegan then more power to you, but dont blame meat. I would blame the parents in this situation for letting him eat so unhealthy all the time. I dont see a problem with the ocassianly slice of pizza as long as the rest of yoru diet is balanced and healthy.

Posted by: Sally | February 12, 2009 11:38 AM

It is preposterous to try and advocate not feeding your children meat. Humans are carnovors and as such need to have a balanced varied diet, but to suggest that eating healtily is child abuse to me suggests that PETA officials may not be aware of true child abuse cases! Perhaps divorced parents and a broken home could have deeper impact on a child's phyche than a freshly bought, home prepared meat dish!
I am in shock after having read claims raised in this article.

Posted by: Martina | March 9, 2009 08:34 AM

Meat (when it's not tainted with growth hormones, antibiotics, pesticides and herbicides) can actually be a healthy addition to ones diet. I think the real issue is that we are simply consuming too much! We are brainwashed into thinking that we HAVE to be carnivores in order to be truly healthy. That leads to the demand for more animal meat, which leads to the overabundance of animals having to endure cruel treatment and conditions before they are slaughtered. The saddest part is that society caters to the meat eaters while ignoring or downplaying the needs of vegetarians. When you go to most restaurants you will notice that 90% of what's on the menu is for meat eaters; not vegetarians. Also, organic fruits and vegetables (the only safe kind to eat) are very expensive, usually. U.S. society makes it more difficult than it should be to be a vegetarian or a vegan...and it's really a shame because it would be better for everybody if we were eating less, or no meat.

Posted by: Kathy | March 12, 2009 02:51 PM

To the person who put meatless twinkies, please read the ingredients. Twinkies have grinded up pig corpse in them! Sugar makes you fat? Try getting fat off of skittles! See if the skittles make you fat faster than a set of cow ribs.

Posted by: Robert | May 14, 2009 07:01 PM