Et tu, Brute!

Ban on Fast-Food Ads Would Cut Childhood Obesity 18%

All above points made by comments, excellent and agreed. A few more:

Go to any food served orientation in this country, not just fast food, and by and large the portions are humongous! Not so in Europe, where overweight is not rampant as in this country. More for your money portions to attract the consumer, and also the "free refills", and, aargh! Obesity.

Another thought. I completely agree with the comments regarding the lack of exercise. Add to this, children can't just go rambling like they could when I was a kid. We could go hiking, rambling, exploring, walk for blocks to see a pal, the list goes on and on. Kids don't have that freedom anymore, It's not safe. Parents DO resort to entertainment values to keep the kids occupied while they need to get x,y, and z done. Plus, both parents work now, or it's a singe-parent household. Life is harder in SOME ways.

PHys Ed programs lax? Yep, again! Recently a teacher friend who retired at 70 years of age stated that she would NEVER become a teacher if she were starting out now. She had to mark 1500 boxes for every subject for every student every grading period. They were kindergardners. And teaching is about teaching to take tests, not learning. Teaching is one of the most honorable professions, and it's not what it used to be!

Television and commercials as sole blame, not that easy.

Studies miss so much.