Obesirty - it's wrong to judge, but take responsibility (interesting article here)

According to the World Obesity Federation (WOF), most Brits reckon obese people face more discrimination than any other group.

Actually, along with many others, I had never heard of the WOF. It describes itself as a "global community of organisations dedicated to solving the problems of obesity." Its members include some very distinguished scientists, and they recently did a study on "weight hate"

The survey found that 62 per cent of people think that being fat is more likely to provoke discrimination than your ethnic background, gender, sexual orientation or any mental health issues. However, it should be pointed out that they never used the word "fat", and apparently neither should we. It preferred that we all use "people living with obesity". Interesting!!

As many people know, our own Lazza has had weight problems over the last few years, yoyoing up and down - admittedly using mental health as an excuse - but he has no problem using the word "fat". In fact, "I call myself fat sometimes, maybe unjustly on occasions. It aptly describes how I feel about my size. It certainly is not a disease. I choose to eat when I am stressed. And, of course, it is avoidable and we can all take responsibility". He adds: "I didn't choose to be male. I did not choose to be gay. That is who I am. How I was born. I was not born overweight. That is lifestyle."

|We also agree that mental health issues are not a choice, and people going through them can make poorer choices around their physical health too - and their behaviours as they try and deal with whatever situations are causing them problems. That may mean using substances, such as drugs or alcohol; it can  mean isolating themselves away from society; and of course some turn to food. But all that is personal choice - yes,m affected by mental health - but still a choice. We can make better choices by improving mind-set.

Food addiction is a problem. Our lifestyles are more sedentary. We do not cook enough. There is so much sugar in foods, and that causes a powerful sensation in the brain, and then we start to crave items like cake etc. Even the strictest diets mean you must eat, and for some it is difficult to press the off button..

If you get fatter, it appears you need to be publicly shamed. Even mildly overweight is frowned on. The new series of Love Island has just started - I have never seen an episode so cannot comment on content - but I have seen pictures of all the contestants. Not an ounce of fat is shown in their swimwear. I wonder what would have happened if they had got any males without a six pack, or a plus size model!!

But it should be made clear, being overweight is unhealthy. It puts strain on organs in the body, which cannot function properly. Yes, we should not fat shame people, but we should also not allow it to become a norm. Our children are growing up into a world where obesity is becoming an epidemic. We need to teach them now about healthy living, exercise, and communication.