Last week in the newspaper a respected doctor belonging to the British Medical Association dared to suggest the only reason the majority of people are fat is because they eat too much.

It is no longer acceptable to blame genetics or other medical conditions.  Of course there are a few which require drugs, and do indeed have an effect on weight, but most people don’t take them. 

Your genes certainly define your features, hair and eye colouring and certain other physical attributes.  However, they don’t determine what you put in your mouth – YOU do.

The doctor, Hamish Meldrum, said obesity is “over medicalised” and that people use fancy labels to suggest a condition for their problem when in reality all they needed to do was change their eating habits.  The “condition” from which they suffered was one of lifestyle, which could be changed with the right attitude.

That sounds very sensible to me but it did upset a few people.

The problem is those who are overweight want instant gratification and many resort to surgery and slimming pills.  They seem to forget their weight problem accumulated over several years and getting it off may take months not days.

However, quick fix options are not going to achieve permanent weight loss.  Only a sensible, healthy eating plan and regular exercise will do that.

Of course with our more affluent society and labour saving devices each generation appears to be getting bigger.  However, bigger doesn’t have to mean fatter or unhealthier.

Dr Meldrum is right.  Stop blaming genetics and look at why, what, when and where you eat.  Your parents may well have influenced the type of food you prefer but they aren’t responsible for the amount you consume.

You are!