[FarmGirl's stream of consciousness]

The Federal Trade Commission is taking notice of our growing problem with obesity.

Washington - According to Reuters, the "U.S. government will not ban or limit junk-food advertising to children, but wants the industry to set new guidelines to promote healthy eating and minimize obesity, a top regulator said on Friday."

The Association of National Advertisers promote their self-regulating system that has been intact since 1974. It is during this same time period that we have seen a dramatic increase in childhood obesity.

But really, is it the businesses fault to desire increased profits, create a work force and contribute to our economy? Is it our fault for being couch-potato slackers and over-endulging slugs? Possibly we just drive too much and don't get enough exercise. Imagine the folks in Deadwood worrying about their carbs.

The bottom line with maintaining a healthy weight is to expend as much energy as you consume. Easier said than done in today's society unless you live in NY or Paris where you get to walk everywhere, or lucky enough to live on a Farm where you get fit just by living. For the city-dwellers, this much needed exercise is harder to find.

I toss and turn about whose fault it is that we have an obesity problem. I was in Advertising for years and loved it. Marketing is a part of business. Business is a part of agriculture. Agriculture determines our health and the health of our planet.

It's intriguing figuring out what mix will increase sales. We don't sit around saying "how can we get folks fatter". We sit around and say "how can we increase sales". Be real. We are all surviving. How about education and self-control?

It seems quite the cop-out to blame a corporation on my own inability to know what I was eating. The fact I choose not to know is one point.

We all need to learn about ingredients, processes and side-effects of foods we are consuming. It is our responsibility. What do you think?

Resources: Click here for full article at Reuters