There do seem to be many influences on the imbalance between food intake and energy output. These start with inherited / genetic factors affecting appetite, metabolic rate, and how the body stores fat. They are in turn influenced by the environment ( family, society, and culture ). There isn’t one single big solution to obesity . But because it carries risks to health, it shouldn’t ( as the English CMO and others point out ) be accepted as “ the norm “.



Drugs and surgery are costly, and can only be for more extreme cases. Unlike cigarettes, fatty and sugary foods are not uniformly unhealthy – only in excess. So a “ sin tax “ is inappropriate, hard to enforce, and would be “ regressive “ ( poor people spend a higher proportion of their income on food than rich people ).


Many smaller measures may be the answer – starting with parents, who should know about / take responsibility for / and avoid overfeeding their kids .


Other measures would come at cost :-

• urban planners making streets and pavements safer for cyclists and pedestrians;
• improved access to healthy foods, sensible advice ( written and in person ) from healthcare workers;
• more gyms, swimming pools, and parks.


Ultimately the responsibility and ability to change does rest with individuals – no matter how hard it is, and how plausible the reasons ( ? excuses ) may be for NOT aiming at a healthy weight … for life.


I do appreciate the further interesting and honest posts from gWaPito, Graham, Purple, NoRest, Terpe, Michael, Mark and Rayna ! Hopefully they will inspire and help other members – much more so than advice, however well intentioned, from me alone.