"More than 13 percent of children and adolescents in the United States are overweight and the number is growing at a critical rate," said Richard A. Lerner, M.D., president of The Scripps Research Institute.
"With obesity often comes debilitating, even fatal type 2 diabetes. These are epidemics that America cannot ignore. The McDonald's and Scripps Research alignment represents advancement in the effort to change the landscape of these severe pediatric health issues, and to find solutions that will benefit future generations of healthy adults in America."
"McDonald's overall goal is to make a difference in the lives of children," said Ralph Alvarez, president and chief operating officer, McDonald's Corporation. "The collaboration with Scripps Research is an extension of McDonald's long-standing commitment to the well-being of children around the world."
The relationship unites Scripps Research's world-renowned scientists committed to groundbreaking scientific research addressing pediatric health concerns with McDonald's 50-year legacy of supporting programs that promote children's health and wellness.
The biomedical research will be under the auspices of the newly created McDonald's Center for type 2 Diabetes and Obesity.
Guiding the initiative for Scripps Research is Dr. Katja Van Herle. "As both a scientist and a mom, I understand, first-hand, the issues that face our children today. Additional research, increased awareness and education, and monitoring the disease are essential for finding a long-term solution," said Van Herle, a physician and director of the Institute's Department of Community Outreach and Education.
"We must proactively address and offer solutions for pediatric obesity…and commitment to researching solutions for these issues is essential," said Robert Verloop, former chairman of the board, Produce for Better Health. "We applaud McDonald's for engaging in research initiatives with Scripps, and for its ongoing leadership in adding new menu choices."
For more information about the Scripps-McDonald's collaborative effort to research solutions for childhood obesity and type 2 diabetes, please visit www.mcdepk.com/scrippsalliance.
About Scripps Research Institute
The Scripps Research Institute is one of the world's largest independent, non-profit biomedical research organizations, internationally recognized for its discoveries in immunology, molecular and cellular biology, chemistry, neurosciences, autoimmune, cardiovascular, and infectious diseases, and synthetic vaccine development. Scripps Research is headquartered in La Jolla, California. It also includes Scripps Florida, whose researchers focus on basic biomedical science, drug discovery, and technology development. For more information, go to www.scripps.edu.
About McDonald's
McDonald's USA, LLC is the leading foodservice provider in the United States serving a variety of wholesome foods made from quality ingredients to millions of customers every day. More than 80 percent of McDonald's 13,700 U.S. restaurants are independently owned and operated by local franchisees. For more information about McDonald's visit www.mcdonalds.com.
©2006 McDonald's
Contact information: William Whitman, McDonald's (630) 623.6745, william.whitman@us.mcd.com, www.mcdepk.com/scrippsalliance