Obese children file class suit against McDonald's

A lawsuit filed against hamburger chain McDonald's on behalf of eight obese New York children is threatening to unleash a wave of class actions similar to those that have won huge payouts from the tobacco industry.

A Manhattan court this week heard the suit brought by lawyer Samuel Hirsch.

The plaintiffs include Gregory Rhymes, 15, who weighs close to 180kg. Papers filed by Rhymes' mother said she had "always believed McDonald's was healthy for my son".