EDITORIAL
McDonald's alone did not Supersize us

The giant fast-food chain McDonald's is nothing if not consumer savvy.

Have you noticed that when they introduce a new product, it often turns out to be just what you were wishing they would offer?

So the latest news from the chain, that they are doing away with their "Supersizing" option, is obviously customer -driven. They know the public has become increasingly concerned about obesity and the health problems that go along.

Officially, the explanation for the phase out of Supersized drinks and fries is "menu simplification," according to a McDonald's spokesman.

Whatever the reason, this decision is a welcome, if largely symbolic gesture. After all, there is nothing to stop customers from buying two regular fries or two regular drinks if they are particularly hungry or thirsty.

Ultimately, fast food restaurants like McDonald's and the others can offer all the low-calorie salads, low-carbohydrate specials and other diet-conscious specials they want.

The real responsibility lies not with the chains, although they cannot deny that their multimillion-dollar advertising campaigns drives demand.

No, the real responsibility lies with us, the customers. We are, as the saying goes, what we eat.