Please let's remember the human side of the statistics?

Obesity is big news today. Latest NHS figures say that obesity surgery (that's gastric bands and bypasses) has increased tenfold in the past decade. It doesn't surprise me. It's because (as NICE stated a couple of years ago) obesity surgery works. And, what's more, it's cost effective.

Now I know lots of people will want to take a high moral, judgmental tone on this subject. I can hear them already: "why don't THOSE people just eat less and exercise more?" But obesity is SO much more complex than that. I have met many men and women whose lives are almost completely wrecked by their inability to control their weight. Whose fault is it?

I just don't think we can moralise. Perhaps it is their fault - but only as much as a drinker, a smoker or even an obsessive sportsman suffers from disease or injury brought about by their lifestyle. Perhaps it was my fault that I put on weight and then, after a decade of obsessive dieting and exercise, ended up with a body that just wouldn't respond whatever I did. But while the experts and media debate this issue over the next few days, I'd just put in a plea for a little human compassion.

MOST of the people who're grossly overweight are very unhappy about it. Many of them face a shortened life. Many are suffering right now from all of the awful things that obesity can cause or exacerbate - that's an increased risk of cancer, diabetes, stroke or heart disease.

To anyone who feels morally superior, I'd say, watch out: Sooner or later every single one of us is going to either be affected ourselves, or have a beloved member of the family who's suffering. Then you'll learn it's not a laughing matter - it's a product of our times, our crazy Western lifestyle.

Obesity surgery is OBVIOUSLY not the long term solution. We've all got to change the way we live and yes, that does include taking more personal responsibility. Meanwhile, could we all try being nicer to each other too?