I think that it is of utmost importance that campaigns ‘against obesity’ should not make an underclass of overweight children who it is OK to treat however we like, because the health police and media are on our side. Both teasing, and pushing overweight teenagers to diet are likely to increase the likelihood of them discovering, and getting stuck in, destructive eating patterns.

New government research from experts led by Sir David King, the Government’s chief scientific adviser, warns that half of all adults in the UK could be clinically obese by 2050, causing health problems on a huge scale with a steep rise in heart disease, diabetes and cancer which could stretch health service resources to the breaking point.

The ideal of perfection, and everything being under the control of the individual, is certainly in harmony with contemporary western culture. This ideal of control over messy emotions, ageing, our own success, has unfortunately become linked to being thin. This gives form to the voice of anorexia, a seemingly safe way to a painless and perfect existence. Just get thin. Just don’t eat. Just don’t feel.

After the ‘size zero’ outcry and the deaths of two young models last year, the modelling industry is seen as a hotbed of eating disorders. The independent Model Health Inquiry was set up to investigate, and recommends that models under 16 should be banned from the catwalks at London Fashion Week. How does this issue affect the average size 14 British woman?

A healthy diet can have a positive impact on mental health, according to recent research from the Mental Health Foundation. The charity has published a new booklet to help you protect your mental health through healthy eating. It is particularly relevant for those recovering from mild to moderate depression and suggests how changes to diet can help improve mood.

Evidence that potential blockbuster weight loss drug Acomplia (rimonabant) causes neurological and psychiatric problems and increases the risk of suicide has led to a unanimous vote against the drug by a US FDA advisory panel. Although rimonabant is already being marketed in 37 countries, it is now unlikely the FDA will approve the weight loss drug, to have been sold in the United States under the name ‘Zimulti’, without more positive data on safety.

I wonder whether the folks over at TechCrunch actually read our 2004 article on pro anorexia sites before citing it last week as an example of media hype over internet safety? We appreciate the link love, but do they seriously think we’re partly responsible for the results of a survey which found that US parents consider internet safety to be a more serious health threat to children than school violence, sexually transmitted diseases, abuse and neglect? I mean, seriously?