After doc’s warning we ask if obesity is really as big a threat as terrorism

We asked four larger ladies what they thought of Dame Sally Davies’ comments on weight.

Terri, Meena, Claire and Arachelly gave their views on obesity

BEING overweight could be as big a threat as terror attacks, Chief Medical Officer Dame Sally Davies has warned.

Last week England’s top government health advisor urged ministers to add obesity to their plans for disasters, which includes terrorism.

But what do women over the UK average size 16 feel about being branded a national risk? Here, we hear the views of four larger women.

Terri, Size 20, disagrees

MUM-OF-TWO Terri McCann, 34, from Bexleyheath, Kent, eats a gluten and dairy-free diet. She says:
“Some of what Dame Sally said has merit but she’s gone about it the wrong way.
In Britain generally we perpetuate this whole ethos of self-hate, and absolutely everywhere there are kids who hate their image from a young age.
We need to start loving ourselves a bit more and then, from that, follows healthy eating and living well.
There are some really skinny girls who don’t eat well but I don’t hold that against them, so to throw around those sorts of sentiments is very judgmental and narrow-minded.
I have body confidence because one day I woke up and decided I was going to love myself and look after myself, and I won’t allow the pressure of society to tell me otherwise.”

Meena, Size 24, disagrees

FULL-TIME mum Meena Latchman, 44, who lives near Kingston, Surrey, has an under-active thyroid and is happy in her own skin. She says:
“I think the lady who said this about other women was a little over-zealous in likening obesity to terrorism – it seems like an odd comparison.
Not everybody who is overweight is unhealthy and a burden on the NHS, but I appreciate that some need extra help.
That help should come in constructive aid such as free gym memberships and counselling that will bring the best and healthiest person out of everyone, whatever their dress size.
Personally, I put on 5st after I had my second child then found out about having an under-active thyroid gland.
Why should I give up all the things I enjoy? A healthy lifestyle is all about balance.”

Claire, Size 26, disagrees

SECRETARY Claire Driver, 46, from Richmond, South West London, suffers from type 2 diabetes, which is often associated with obesity, as well as raised blood pressure and cholesterol. She says:
“I think what Dame Sally said will only fuel the ignorant people to continue in their ignorance. Obesity is a very complex issue and to imply it is the same as terrorism is wrong. How can you compare the two?
It gives credence to those who are unaware and uninformed on the subject.
I’m still a person and putting me in the same bracket as terrorism is just stupid and insulting – how can it be taken seriously?
I am having gastric bypass surgery next month after years of consideration. Attention does have to be put into fighting obesity but it needs to be done sensitively and intelligently, not by scaremongering.”

Arachelly, Size 24, agrees

CARER and mum of two Arachelly Reyes, 48, from Bermondsey, South London, suffers from high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes. She says:
“When I heard the news on the radio about the obesity epidemic, it really resonated with me. It is an epidemic, and there is no doubting that. The number of people in the UK with obesity-related illnesses, which is in the millions, shocked me.
I am currently on the waiting list for gastric bypass surgery but it has already been two years and I imagine it won’t be happening any time soon.
My kids are healthy and not overweight and I want to be a healthy role model for them.
It will be cheaper for the Government to give the surgery quicker, rather than have people on lots of medication, getting worse with contributing issues such as depression.”