The obesity debate

I believe there are two types of big people, those who eat far too much - my cousin has a thyroid problem and uses it as an excuse to eat two packs of Pringles a night. These people usually have a different body shape to those of us who are naturally bigger.

I myself do everything to control my weight but don't stress over food, if I'm hungry I eat - simple. I eat chips if I want them, but usually I eat healthy food, I don't fry and I avoid most fast food due to its basic poor taste and nutritional value. I do not have a sweet tooth.

In light of the soaring obesity, especially among kids, I do feel that so-called healthy food should be cheaper and more readily available, but it's quite easy and cost effective to eat healthily. Pasta and sauce, rice and chicken, even fresh fruit and vegetables can be found at reasonable prices if you shop around - markets are a bargain.

My daughter has a terrible sweet tooth and would live on chocolate. She's tall and totally opposite to me as I don't eat sweets.
lovelorn200

I think there are a few factors involved. When I was a child I was always out playing, be it running around, climbing trees, playing Cowboys and Indians, whatever. Children don't really go out and play as much now, due to parents being concerned for their safety, the increase of traffic and the increase in computers, games and stuff.

Convenience food is also on the up, and with our lifestyles, which seem to be work, work, work, who wants to come in at night and prepare a healthy dinner? No, we'd rather go into the freezer or open a tin of something. Frozen meals are great, but the healthier options are far more expensive than the high fat/sugar cheaper meals. Chocolate and crisps are also more readily available and handed out to children far too easily and it's an addiction that stays well into adulthood, by which time a weight problem is harder to deal with.

I think the answer lies in education and also making healthy options more affordable. I'm currently pregnant and my baby will not be eating sweets, chocolates or crisps until he's old enough to buy them for himself, by which time he probably won't want them because he won't have a sweet tooth. I'm going to encourage him to exercise and play as much as he can, and hopefully by the time he reaches adulthood he won't have a weight problem.

I have a weight problem and have done all my life, partly due to the genes I inherited from my father, and partly as I overindulge. It's something I have to live with, but hopefully if we address it now, the next generation will perhaps be slightly healthier.
scooterchick2002

I think people are heavier these days because of the 'convenient' lifestyle most lead. You're out shopping, you're a bit peckish, what do you do? You get a packet of crisps or a chocolate bar - how many people go and buy an apple or banana?

These days mostly both parents work so cooking chips in the oven is far easier than doing pasta or something. I think people need to think about what they are eating more and compromise - if you have chips why not put a salad on the side instead of a fatty side dish. Plus healthy food is very expensive. I'm currently backpacking in Australia, and you would think with most people living healthy, outdoor lives over here, that healthy food would be cheaper, but it's not. Fruit and vegetables are far too high in price, as are things like chicken breasts, why pay over the odds for chicken breasts when you can get a packet of 24 burgers for a fraction of that price?

Also kids don't play out much these days, and who can blame parents? Sarah Payne was out playing and she got murdered, Holly and Jessica, same happened there. How many kids get abducted these days compared to when I was a kid (and I'm only 19). I remember during the summer hols I would go out at about 9am or 10am and I didn't get in until about 8pm, and that was mostly just playing in my own street, but even these days it's hard because of cars and dangerous roads. When my niece plays out (she's five) someone has to watch her. How many parents have all day to sit on the step and watch the kids play? It's society's fault, not the fault of obese people.
sarahinoz