Larger text
Smaller text
Print
E-mail
Saturday essay: Fat America
Hence, the federal government has issued new, and more stringent, healthful diet and exercise guidelines.
Meanwhile, Kraft Foods, sensitive to the bitter taste of possible advertising censorship, pledges it won't promote many of its products on television, radio and in print on programs and in media targeted to children under 12.
For example, Oreos, one of life's true pleasures, are off the ad list.
This may help Kraft relieve the weight of criticism heaped on the processed food industry by professional hair shirts. But, then again, children don't only watch children's shows.
Eating well and moderately, and exercising often, are keys to good health. But the food industry does not place even a morsel of food into anyone's mouth.
While American adults overeat and preside over their children's budding gluttony, the only thing really starving for calories is personal responsibility.
Were people made parents involuntarily, we'd have empathy for their enslavement to the bawling demands of their little ones.
However, parenthood is typically voluntary, and memory of one's own childhood is enough to warn any prospective parent that raising a kid properly and with tough love isn't for the weak or lazy.
Shall we chew on that.
-- Gery Steighner
