The London Mail wrings it hands over the latest faddy eating-disorder The victims of permarexia
I'm 29 now and have been on a diet constantly since I was 23. Even though I know I'm fairly normal, with the right weight - nearly nine stone - and a healthy life, I spend my whole time feeling fat. I'm a classic permarexic: I only come off one diet to start another.
Mr Atkins of Diet was a lard-arse and Doctors warn of obesity
For perhaps the first time in my life, I sort of agree with Anne Widdecombe - a sense of proportion is needed.
A light trivial conversation about food and someone said "Oh that has 60 calories". I replied, "Who cares!"
Why do too many people assume that only one element is required in a 'healthy diet' - calorie control (or fat reduction or carbohydrate elimination or whatever this week's fad is). I was at the dental hygenist last week. The same practice I have been attending for thirteen years. Again she commented on my perfect, filling-free teeth and commended my healthy diet. My former dentist - now retired, not on the money he made frome me! - raved about the strength and health of my teeth. He believes I shall have my teeth until 95 - unless the smoking kills me first! - and is of the view that my bones must be very healthy. Personally, I am horrified that all these obsessive weight-losers with their calorie-controlled fat-eliminated diets are going to be such a drain on the health service in years to come, using the taxes I have paid on my cigarettes for their osteoporosis and frequent fractures.
Of course there is an in-yer-face hypocrisy there. 40 fags a day, and, on a typical working day, about six shots of coffee and five or six cups of tea. I am ruled by excessive, addictive nicotine and caffeine intake. I'm not much of a drinker. I rarely drink indoors during the week, which is good. I rarely reach for alcohol as a mood-alterer, which is good. But when I go out, it is not complete without alcohol, be it a meal, a concert, a meet-up, which is bad. And I binge drink, which puts a terrible strain on my liver. Which is bad.
It doesn't take great powers of observation to notice the large numbers of large children. Much of that is the result of poor diet and lack of exercise. The school-run contributes to obesity as well as poor road sense, stranger-danger and social skills.
But I don't think there is a great need for gnashing and wailing of teeth over people like me who are slightly overweight, slightly unfit. I have a strong immune system and healthy teeth and bones, with very few allergies or intolerances. I have a slight endocrine problem which is probably partly the cause of my being overweight. But I rather like my body image, and I reckon I would be sorted if I just got a hula hoop to firm up my stomach muscles.
