POLITICIANS and scientists have allowed themselves to be manipulated by food suppliers who say obesity is due to lack of exercise. They advocate a low-fat, high-carbohydrate and high-sugar diet which greatly increase the profits of the food industry.

In fact obesity is caused by eating too many calories, fuelled by such a high-carbohydrate and high-sugar diet. Fat actually has a useful effect on weight control, contributing to a sensation of fullness, so preventing us eating too much.

By contrast, when carbohydrates and sugar enter the stomach, the food quickly moves on and there is no feeling of having a full meal; hunger returns and the consumer starts to eat again.

There is only one cause of obesity and only one – eating too many calories. Some people seem able to eat a lot and stay thin whereas others appear to eat little and be overweight. But the fact remains that it is impossible to be obese unless one is taking in too many calories.

There are no medical conditions that cause obesity. Thyroid deficiency does lead to weight increase but, again, only if too many calories are eaten.

Something must be done soon about this lethal obesity epidemic.

Obesity is killing millions, costing billions and the cure is free: eat less!

Dave Christian

Southampton