Self-control is better than popping pills

It is a sad reflection on our society today that doctors are giving drugs to eight-year-olds to lower their cholesterol. Not only does it show that children are brought up improperly, but it also creates an early reliance on drugs when there are other more natural better ways of treating the problem.

In the 'not me' attitude prevalent these days, too many people will blame others for their shortcomings or mistakes. Very few children are born with over-weight problems; their obesity is acquired later through bad diet and inadequate exercise. Many parents are prepared to allow their children to snack on high calorie sweets and high fat junk food, without advising their offspring what is good for them, and why. Equally, many parents seem least concerned whether adequate exercise is being done by their children, often assuming it is not their responsibility but that of their child's school. Positions such as these are a cop-out to proper parenting and likely to inculcate a life style within the child which will be difficult to alter, even as early as their teens. At a later age, it will become very hard work to try and lose excess weight, as many obese people will candidly admit to.

Whilst it may be very convenient to 'pop a pill' and believe everything will be all right, there is no miracle tablet that will make anyone slim and fit. It is all a matter of correct, balanced diet from an early age, so it becomes second nature not to succumb to junk food, and with adequate exercise: Simple self-control. Unless competing in the Olympics, having achieved a level of fitness adequate to do a day's work and then go out and enjoy yourself afterwards, exercise need only be limited to half an hour a day. And no pills.