Ads don't make kids fat. Lazy parents do.

So the Institute of Medicine cites "strong" evidence that TV food advertising is associated with childhood obesity. Wonder if it occurred to them that sitting in front of a television rather than the commercials might be the culprit.

Instead of blaming food marketers, the Institute should look at a common factor revealed in other recent studies. These studies find that kids with minimal parental supervision are most prone to obesity while the best indicator of a child's weight is the weight of that child's parents. The common factor? Parents.

Once again, a group of nannies ignores personal and parental responsibilities and seeks government action. The answer to childhood obesity is simple, if you don't want obese kids, turn off your TV and go play with them. Not surprisingly, a few other societal problems might get solved in the process.

[Letter to the Editor - USA Today - Published 12/19/2005]