Your Opinion: Relieved of responsibility

Dear Editor:

In response to Nancy Ellis-Ordway's letter on overweight people.

I am so relieved to find out that as an overweight person I do not have to take personal responsibility for my excess pounds.

I can blame it on genetics, environmental toxins and socioeconomic contaminants among other things, but at least it's not my personal responsibility.

I can belly-up to the buffet bar without a hint of guilt. Apparently, I am not alone. Have you ever noticed how many overweight people eat at buffets?

And here I thought that I was overweight because I'm a good cook and I like my cooking. Come to find out it's something entirely out of my control.

Like everyone else in this country I am always looking for a pill to fix what ails me. I don't want to work at fixing it and there are plenty of pills to choose from when it comes to diets. Why would I want to eat sensibly and exercise?

There are overweight people who do have medical issues that cause the excess weight, but for the most part those of us who are overweight know why.

We know who we are. We've heard all the food rules. We know we should exercise more but we ignore it and go back for seconds or thirds.

But that's okay now. We are not responsible.