A new national survey by Context Marketing (Sausalito, Calif.) finds Americans place the blame for the country's obesity epidemic squarely upon consumers, not the food and beverage industry. Solutions to the problem, however, are a little more difficult to find.

Some 90% of those surveyed in January 2004 absolve food and beverage companies of responsibility for the country's obesity problem. Furthermore, 77% believe food and beverage companies should not be held accountable for the problem.