And so she should be. Numeracy is one of the most important skills that any child can acquire. But rather than bang on, can I recommend a highly entertaining and great read for you, Innumeracy by John Allen Paulos, probably 1p on Amazon. Reply when you've read that

as it's you, I'll pass

They don't help people to seek long term solutions to their weight problems, merely offer a 'system' for short term weight loss that amounts to simple calorie deprivation. You can buy weight watchers crisps, cherry bakewells and other such goodies, and, provided that you don't exceed your 'points' for the day, you'll still lose weight. Their business model relies on creating a dependency on weight watchers, so that when people pile the weight back on they think 'weight watchers worked last time, I'll go there again'. What they fail to realise is that, if weight watchers was actually a suitable way to lose weight, they wouldn't need to go back.

What people need is good information, not some stupid, faddy, points-based diet.

When I actually get one on one with overweight people, I find most know exactly where their problems lie. They know full well that they drink too much wine, or that three Mars bars a day isn't very good for them. What the diet/fitness industry ought to be doing is educating people as to how they can gradually lose weight and (most importantly) keep it off.

This involves gradual, realistic lifestyle changes that can be maintained in the longer term, not some crash diet that brings short-term results and little to no lasting benefit.

My broadband is off at the moment, so I'm typing this on my phone. I haven't read it back, so apologies if it's a bit rambling in places.

Many actual medical experts would disagree.

But then, if I understand correctly, you're part of an industry that benefits financially from al, this.

Nope. Haven't worked in the fitness industry for years. And, as my last post demonstrates, I firmly believe in giving people the tools necessary to maintain a healthy weight in the longer term, rather than creating a profitable dependence on a particular service.

I'd like to meet the 'actual medical experts' who think that food labelling is the primary cause of obesity in this country. It's undoubtedly a problem, and the actions of the companies involved are dishonest to say the least. Something should definitely be done about it, but to say it's the 'primary cause' of obesity is to excuse everyone of any personal responsibility.

Most overweight people know that they should eat fewer takeaways, drink less alcohol and be more physically active. That many choose not to do these things is the primary reason more of us are becoming obese.

Food labelling – processed food in general and the amount of sugar in this; not least the amounts of 'hidden' sugars, or corn syrup etc.

And yes: I know that you consider that we should all be slogging it out in The Gym, under the watchful (and as mentioned earlier, patronising) eye of some youngster.

Then you have quite obviously chosen not to read any of my posts in this thread properly. I have referred to 'physical activity' and said things like 'doesn't necessarily include formal exercise'. Don't think I've even mentioned a gym.

And as I've said several times - I agree that current practices regarding food labelling are unacceptable. They are not the primary reason for the obesity epidemic, though. A contributory factor, certainly, but not the main cause by any stretch of the imagination.

Is it necessarily the labelling, or the food itself, and the constant demand for everything to be cheaper?

As you say, personal responsibility is at the core, but it seems some want to abdicate all responsibility to someone else, be it Tesco, Starbucks, The Bankers or whomever.

Business can only sell to a market (be it value burgers, "rubbish" coffe or interest only mortgages, 0% interest credit cards, pay day loans), I don't blame the provider, I blame the consumer.

Sticking with just the food thing, I think there's an element of both. Some products are marketed as being 'healthy' alternatives when they're anything but. That said, I don't suppose anyone has ever become obese by eating too much fat free yoghurt. People (most people) put on weight by eating too many calories or expending too few calories. They know it's happening - nobody gets fat overnight - but often only take steps to address the issue after the fact. Where the problem occurs is, I think, when someone decides they'll try to lose some weight: they pick up these 'healthy' alternatives in the supermarket and expect that they'll do the trick. Labelling should be clearer, and more free help should be available to those who need it.

such as?