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Added: Tuesday, 17 November, 2009, 17:32 GMT 17:32 UK

am careful of my diet,it`s just unfortunate that in Africa,when one is fat then it is assume he is responding to good wealth as to the kind of foods he takes in.
we have a big problem here in afarica.BBC will you believe that recently a college of mine just saw a friend of our`s who have grown big and all he could say was that he is really responding to good wealth.hmmm we need a change of diet.

mawuli, accra

Added: Tuesday, 17 November, 2009, 17:31 GMT 17:31 UK

In Africa obesity is a sign of wealth and Power, take the police, it is rare to find a thin policeman. If one is very skinny then people think you have aids or are HIV. With the corrupt politicians and presidents only the rich can afford to get fat. Take Zimbabwe, most of Mugabe's minister are fat.

Jeremy R, London

Added: Tuesday, 17 November, 2009, 16:38 GMT 16:38 UK

We are living in a world where ppl die coz of famine, starvation, &lack of just one meal a day. In same world ppl are loosing lives coz of obesity &food excess.
Its nothing to do with people really, its system, which finds profit in making ppl obese by selling big portions of food, then asking them to pay for gyms, & starving them to loose weightt, coz they are 'ill'. At the sametime, theres nothing to eat for starving poor, coz theres no profit in it.

Sherry Shamsi, United Kingdom

Added: Tuesday, 17 November, 2009, 16:26 GMT 16:26 UK

to say that obesity is associated with affluence is not by the remotest chance next to a half truth.That is a problem that can be attributed to genetics (on the lower side) and poor eating habbits.It doesnt require a doctor to see that there is enough junk food (most of it very cheap) that can destroy someones health. Africans never experienced that problem before western influence and a campaingn to promote traditional food will solve the problem. control your diet, engage physicals!

ngoya njeli, Kenya

Added: Tuesday, 17 November, 2009, 15:53 GMT 15:53 UK

Any health conscious person should be worried about his or her weight because of the kind of diseases associated with being obese.But unfortunately most people think that being fat means you are living a good life and others even go to the extent of taking drugs with the hope of increasing their weight without thinking about the side effects.
Which is more life threatening? being over or under weight.

Abby Rockson, Accra Ghana

Added: Tuesday, 17 November, 2009, 15:45 GMT 15:45 UK

comments like this contribute to persecution of those who just have fat genes in them, no matter how less they eat, some people are prone to weight gain. Try to understand why people are the way they are befor judging.

Miss Independant, West Midlands, United Kingdom

Huh. So by your logic, it's more likely that the entire genetic make up of the USA and Great Britian has changed in the last 50yrs? Yep, must be the 'fat genes' making people 'big boned'.

Bob, London

Added: Tuesday, 17 November, 2009, 15:41 GMT 15:41 UK

Worrying about anything is an unproductive waste of time. If you want to be a different weight, then just do it. It is entirely within you r control. If you don’t want to be a different weight, then tell those nagging you to butt out and continue doing what you are doing.

Arthur d'Kansas, Kansas, United States

Added: Tuesday, 17 November, 2009, 15:27 GMT 15:27 UK

As a child I was a healthy weight. Then aged 11 I was diagnosed diabetic and for a few years kept the same weight. Then at 17 I put on 3 stone in 6 weeks, turns out I have an underactive thyroide gland as well.

I stayed at this weight until 4 years ago then the same thing happened and I put on another 3 stone - there was no medical explantion, it just happened.

I haven't been able to shift a pound through diet & excercise and have been told I am obese but without explanation - its weird

chezzaj, Peterborough

Added: Tuesday, 17 November, 2009, 15:16 GMT 15:16 UK

I am on the big side, but healthier than a few of my friends who are a size 10! My blood pressure is fine, and I eat fairly healthy. I do believe that if your family are skinny, you will be skinny and likewise if you are bigger. You cannot do anything about genes and DNA. I have read comments about overweight celebs not setting a good example, what about the likes of Victoria Beckham and all of girls aloud who all look like they could use a roast dinner or 6!!

the lion, Selkirk

Added: Tuesday, 17 November, 2009, 15:13 GMT 15:13 UK

We should all be aware of our health
A short while ago Iwas in local Tesco, I saw a slimish mum buying loads of sweets & crisps, then I saw her 2 children, the boy was of normal build for his young age but the girl was hugely overweight.

I regret not asking the mum if her daughter had a medical condition.

I consider parents who allow their children to become hugely obese, to be a child abuser, for surely enabling a child to become so detrimentally unhealthy, is a form of negligent abuse

[SKYISBLUESOAMI], UN-SUSTAINABILITY THE EPITATH OF HUMANITY, United Kingdom

Added: Tuesday, 17 November, 2009, 15:13 GMT 15:13 UK

I it find interesting that the nation as a whole was at its healthiest, with regard to weight, during the years of rationing. Why then, do we need GM crops? Why then, do we need to eat animals that have been fed growth hormones? The answer is we don't, because these additives & other assorted chemicals & inteference with the natural order are done in the interests of the producers & their profits only. They couldn't give a hoot about the consumer, the obese on the streets proove it.

Quo Vadis, Cardiff, Europe

Added: Tuesday, 17 November, 2009, 15:10 GMT 15:10 UK

I have not only put on weight recently but my belly makes me look ugly as it has swollen like a balloon!! This is due only to eating too much ,sleeping ,and drinking the sweet natural local icy juices I cannot resist at all mostly in the sultry season!
As my girlfriend complained of my big belly I will struggle hard to regain a normal weight and become the athlete I used to be.

abdou, Dakar

Added: Tuesday, 17 November, 2009, 15:08 GMT 15:08 UK

While I am trying to keep my weight under control, the aging process, combined with the inactivity of working on computers, is making it quite difficult to control the weight gain.

I actually lose weight when I am not at work, and regain it, when I am working.

Today's modern world is very bad for healthy living.

Rick McDaniel, Lewisville, TX USA

Added: Tuesday, 17 November, 2009, 14:58 GMT 14:58 UK

There are three factors here.
Heath, Status and Vanity.

Health: if you are within and acceptable weight range and you do not have breathing problem, skin problems or running sores and you have have a balanced diet, fine.
We all know what is bad for us. I refuse to believe that mothers feeding children burgers "don't know better"!
Status. Get a life
Vanity. Guillty as charged.

Zini, Cardiff

Added: Tuesday, 17 November, 2009, 14:57 GMT 14:57 UK

Yes we should watch our weight and consequently what we eat. The amount of fat kids one sees nowadays is scary and just look at some of the fat people on TV, presenters and the like, they do not set a good example! Fat women are a turn off especially when they wear tight clothes emphasizing every unsightly bulge!

[bumbleboo], Stuttgart, Germany