Obesity has been an interest since a medical student in 1968 I presented a case study of a 13 year old girl in the Paediatric Ward who weighed 18 stone and was  on a starvation regime.

Since the 1960�s the problem of overweight and obesity has increased in  the United Kingdom, the rich world and even in the poor world. In Papua New Guinea in 2004 it was a significant problem.

There are many explanations�.causes

Physical work is no longer physical

Food has been cheap, tasty, convenient and high in calories

Advertising has persuaded people to eat �empty calories�

Cigarette smoking has decreased mirrored by an increase in obesity for nicotine reduces appetite

Obesity and its care are �big business��diets, clinics, health farms, fitness regimes

New and powerful drugs to change our appetites, reduce absorption of food, reset hypothalamic receptors mean big profits for drug companies

Bariatric surgery is a new and flourishing specialty and a mainly private market.