Romances have begun in McDonald's. When de-skilling and the low wages are mentioned, hands are thrown in the air. It seems the crew making happy meals are happy people. Over 20 per cent of men are now obese compared to 16 per cent of women. Sedentary lifestyles and diet are the main factors.
Television is now Ireland's major leisure pursuit.
The people who traditionally prepared food in the home are going out to work in greater numbers. By 1999, that had risen to 706,000. The average time spent preparing a meal today is 20 minutes. By 2010 it is predicted this will fall to 10 minutes. In 1998, the Consumers' Association of Ireland found beef burgers averaged 312 calories, chicken burgers 268, doner kebabs 258 and pizzas 287 calories.