[ECM]

I don't agree with that. The simple fact is, yes, it would be better to not gain the weight in the first place, but anyone that sets their mind to losing the weight can and will lose it given enough time and, more importantly, effot--laziness is no excuse.

Sure, there's the .05% of the population that has some sort of 'glandular problem' but they are very much in the minority (whether people that complain about their weight want to believe it or not).

Just teach kids to keep their hands out of the cookie jar and to excercise for a whopping half an hour a day and, chances are, they'll never be fat.

[liberallarry]

Just teach kids to keep their hands out of the cookie jar and to excercise for a whopping half an hour a day and, chances are, they'll never be fat.

I'd like to agree with that...because that's exactly what's worked for me during a reasonably long life. But I don't think it's that simple. Some people (far more than .05%) are prone to getting fat. They have to work harder at keeping fit. Then - an obvious observation - it's a lot easier to avoid the cookie jar if it's not constantly put in front of you. I'm now an old man and have more of a tendency to put on weight than I did in youth or middle age. I deal with it by not keeping sweets in the house - I indulge when I go out. But that's an old man's wisdom. Nearly impossible for kids.