“I have some empirical evidence to backup what I am saying. I have been obese most of my life and was only able to overcome it by taking on a rigid program of diet and exercise. In fact, I found that I had to walk briskly 7-10 miles per day, every day, in conjunction with reduction of caloric intake to lose weight”
But that empirical evidence, which matches my own, **contradicts** your conclusion.
A normal person getting a **normal** amount of exercise and consuming a **normal** diet should maintain a normal weight.
When you have to take heroic measures to lose weight and keep it off—as in my case—something is wrong (I really wanted to capitalize those last three words).
Several microorganisms that cause obesity in laboratory animals have been identified. One can mention carnitine deficiency. But very few people are even researching other causes because the “you eat like a pig and are lazy” answer is so satisfying. It reminds me of the “South Park” episode on hybrid cars.
When I tell people that I walk 7-10 miles a day, I might as well be telling them that I climb Mt. Washington every morning before breakfast. But it is really no big deal. I get up in the morning and take my dog for a one-hour walk in my neighborhood which comes to about four miles right there. I get the rest of the miles by taking a lunchtime walk and then a 45-minute walk after dinner (about 3 miles).
In my father's generation, this routine would be called a vacation!