text: is there any excuse for obesity? i notice that in areas of the country where people exercize more ,for example near the ski mountains, there seems to be much fewer people with "gland problems" or  a "fat genes".  i also notice that there are far fewer people with these "medical conditions" in foreign countries where they eat healthier and in more moderate amounts. yes. some people are obese because of irreversible genetic disorders or adverse side effects of medication. for most people, which is 95% of obese people have no excuses. they eat too much of the wrong kinds of food and don't move enough. ask a triathlete how much he/she eats, and you'll know that calories isn't an issue. it's about eating the right kinds of food, and treating food like fuel. in fact, endurance athletes are notorious for carb-loading. obesity is about lard, over-consumption and not enough activity. go out and cycle or run. it works. i lost 30 lbs in 6 months that way without counting anything.