Originally Posted by
surgeonstone
... thank God I lived in a time ( the 60's ) and place ( the east coast) where people were insensitive. Had we the "oh so sensitive, it's not your fault, your genes are the problem, you can't help you are fat, it's your parent's fault" crap that fills the air waves today, I would probably be 500 lbs.
And really it is as simple as calories in versus calories out. It is possible to control what you put into your mouth and what you do with your body.
I think we are mostly agreeing here. On the genetics issue, however, we have very different ways of looking at it. I was raised to believe that I have a genetic predisposition to obesity (a lot of it in the family), and as a consequences, I have to be more disciplined and active than others.
Knowing I have a genetic predisposition means I have a heightened responsibility- I do not think that acknowledging the role of genetics in any way justifies fatalism about one's weight/ physical condition. If anything, it should be a red flag that a person might need to pay special attention to their physical condition and eating habits to prevent obesity.