There can't be many people in the world's richer nations that have not been on a diet at some time in their lives. Most will have started with willpower and lost weight only to gain even more pounds when the will gave out. Many will have advanced to tablet assistance - Xenical, Hoodia, Proactol - who needs it? The question is why is there an obesity epedemic?
The problem seems to be that people become food addicts, but unlike drug addicts they cannot be weaned off the stuff .. everybody needs food. You can speculate all day about who or what is responsible for the addiction. Food manufacturers/processors add substances to their products which are known to affect peoples' behaviour (e.g. hyper-activity and behavioural problems with children). Thin people look at the obese and say it is their own fault; no self control .. inactive slobs .. always stuffing themselves.
I know from experience that weight control is not simply "calories in" must be less than "calories out". The type of food you eat is just as significant as its calorific value and research seems to suggest that the time you eat is also important.
There is a lot of information on the subject of weight loss at this site
Fat Loss 4 Idiots and I think it is well worth the visit for those carrying a few (quite a few!) extra pounds like myself.
