I amglad you all enjoyed this issue so much. Find out more about the Diet Divas’ exercise and meal plans on our website. Karen, editor

loved reading about the various aspects of weight loss in the May 30 issue of Friday. Being a doctor, I would like to point out that problems relating to obesity start at an early age when our food habits form. Once we get used to eating certain kinds of foods, it is difficult to change the habit.

As recent reports have shown, obesity is not only a problem in the UAE, but across the world as well. The culture of mothers cooking highcalorie foods for their kids needs to be reviewed. Parents should encourage their children to eat more fruit and vegetables instead of processed foods, especially as snacks, and stop stocking their fridges with high-calorie foods like chocolates, ice creams and fizzy drinks.

Some kind of physical exercise should also be emphasised.

All this is possible only if parents lead by example. If, as a society, we follow these simple measures, there will be no need for weightloss programmes and professional intervention. fter reading your diet issue from cover to cover, I realised that dieting, exercising, eating healthily, etc are no longer fads of the rich but relevant concerns that affect all of us.

Over the years, obesity has become an epidemic that is the cause of all kinds of health problems and not only does it affect our physical well-being, but our emotional health as well.

It’s about time parents, teachers and all responsible members of society make a conscious choice to lead a lifestyle that is healthy and encourage and educate our kids to do the same.

If we adults don’t, then neither will the next generation. The writing is on the wall and it’s time we take it seriously. he diet issue was absolutely fabulous. I especially enjoyed the self-help (‘What kind of a weight watcher are you?’) and the health (‘Stub it out once and for all’) features. The Diet he article on smoking was very informative (‘Stub it out once and for all’, May 30). I was shocked by the number of young smokers in our society. Since parents are clearly unable to prevent their kids from taking up this toxic habit, I think it is time that schools took the responsibility to ensure that these kids realise the damage they are inflicting upon themselves.

Tell us what you think, email us at Friday@gulfnews.com