New Study Indicates Link Between Marketing and Consumption.
Shocking new findings could dramatically affect how companies seek to sell products

According to a new study released by the Institute of Medicine (IOM), there is a clear link between the advertising of a product and consumers' desire to use that product. The study specifically tested how marketing of food products affected children's desire to eat that product, but may have more profound implications.

According to the IOM, "The committee found strong evidence that television advertising influences the food and beverage preferences and purchase requests of children ages 2 through 11 years old and affects their consumption habits." The report goes on to state that, "While the study focused on children aged 2-16, there is evidence to suggest that this 'marketing' may influence adults as well." If so, this could dramatically affect how companies seek to sell their products. Some theorize that companies may seek to spend thousands, if not millions of dollars on so-called "Tele-vision commercials," if it could potentially increase their sales.

"This really could usher in a new era for product usage," said Alan Cato, a business commentator. "The idea that a company can affect the comsumer's preference simply by advertising and marketing is an entirely new concept. No one has put forth such a radical proposal before."

The IOM also couples the results of the study with other recent studies that indicate eating junk food may not be good for you. "For years it was believed that what you ate had no influence on your health. We now know that is not true. Coupling that knowledge with this new study leads one to conclude that if companies advertise unhealthful food, consumer's intake of such foods may increase, leading to an increase in obesity." The IOM report goes on to say that, "If voluntary efforts by industry fail to successfully shift the emphasis of television advertising during children's programming away from high-calorie, low-nutrient products to healthier fare, Congress should enact legislation to mandate this change on both broadcast and cable television. We all know that personal responsibility is too much to ask of the individual American. Parents cannot be counted on to say 'no' to their children, so the government must step in and cut off the problem at the source."

Other IOM studies expected to be released soon call for parenting licenses, mandatory public schooling, and that all children be taken from their parents and placed in "Wellness Warehouses" to be cared for by the state.