In 2020 a new treatment for obesity is available

Britain is in the grip of an obesity epidemic that is rapidly approaching American proportions.

By 2020, the epidemic has become critical.

In Britain, one person in every three is obese and the country is facing a public health catastrophe.

Many thousands are dying prematurely and parents have begun to outlive their obese children.

"When will the people wake up and say to government: 'Enough is enough' This slaughter cannot go on." says Tim Lang, professor of food policy at City University.

Survival of the fittest

We asked BBC Interactive users what they thought of the issue

In 2020, the NHS can't cope with the consequences of obesity.

Diabetes, heart disease and cancer are rampant and new rules are about to force hospitals to withdraw treatment from their fattest patients.

"It is going to be very hard to sustain our model of a healthcare system, requiring the huge amounts of money to look after obesity and its consequences," claims Dr Nick Finer, Centre for Obesity Research, Luton and Dunstable Hospital in Luton, UK.

In our drama, we meet Dr Jane Randell as she begins work with a new intake of patients on her obesity treatment programme.

If... we don't stop eating Wednesday, 7 April, 2004 at 2100 BST on BBC Two Britain's fattest areas revealed

She is painfully aware that for some it could be their last chance.

Who will succeed in changing their lives for the better and who will fail?

And is the government right to try to make us healthy anyway?

The UK Health Secretary John Reid has called for a national debate on the roles that individuals, government, public services and industry can play in tackling obesity.

If you would like to send your views, opinions and comments to the government directly, you can send an e-mail to this address: choosing.health.consultation@doh.gsi.gov.uk