[chiefalchemist]

Ok. But the percentage of adults who are overweight or obese is somewhere around 70%. If we presume 10% is not preventable - that is they have a med condition - then what of the other 60%? Who is feeding those people? Who is forcing them to the sofa?

I understand it's not that simple (e.g., gut bacteria has been tied to weight control). None the less i know people who had what I would consider serious med issues (e.g., cancer) and made no change in lifestyle.

Yes, I'm generalizing. I apologize. But the obesity rate doesn't match well with self responsibility.

[xtreme]

Maybe they just don't see the value in losing weight? People smoke and drink despite being well aware of the associated risks, what's so different about food?

[chiefalchemist]

That's my point. We've nornalized the abnormal. We've turned (potential) illness into a massive (pun intended) market for self help "gurus" (e.g., Oprah).

95% of the messages are: eat what you want, what matters is you still love yourself." Too few add that the extra weight is unhealthy.

[nradov]

There are no medical conditions which can make the human body violate the first law of thermodynamics.