Poor dietary choices beginning in the home, advertising, agro-business, emotional problems, addiction, fast food, cost of food vs. junk, arrogance, tradition, culture...a few of the things that cause us to overeat. But in the end it all comes down to this: food is cheap, fun, and instantly available. It was neither cheap nor instantly available until my parents' generation. When we have the will and the means, nothing can stop consumption. to stop and say no is to be different when everyone else is saying yes. Soon, a majority of the US and other countries will be overweight, and thin will be the exception. A good thing? No way. An inevitable thing? It appears so. Eating less is now a personal decision rather than an economic imposition.