Teen is happy being overweight

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Updated: March 9, 2012 8:04AM

Dr. Wallace: I notice that you always encourage overweight teens to lose weight for better health. I’m 19, and I’m obese — so is my mother, so is my grandmother and so is my great-grandmother. We all appear to be healthy and happy, and food brings us great joy.

I love being big and so does my family. I’m 60 pounds overweight, and I wouldn’t want to have a normal weight for my body build and height if I had to curb my appetite. I enjoy being fat and pigging out whenever I so choose. And please don’t tell me that fat people lack self-esteem. I exude tons of it.

Dr. Wallace, please be kind to overweight teens. We are tired of everyone in the world trying to change us. We don’t want to change and that includes my chubby boyfriend. We all believe in the saying, “Big is beautiful!”

Molly, Rome, Ga.

Molly: Those overweight teens contact me to find out the fastest, safest way to lose weight because they feel being obese hinders their social life. Counting calories, eating nutritious foods and regular exercise is usually what I recommend. I also remind the overweight teen that obesity, according to the American Cancer Society, is responsible for many ailments, including diabetes, high blood pressure and cancer. I encourage overweight teens to lose weight for myriad reasons, but my concern for their health is paramount.

I’m aware that some overweight people enjoy it that way and don’t want to change their lifestyle. To you, your mother, grandmother and great-grandmother I wish continued happiness and continued good health.

Write to Dr. Wallace
at rwallace@galesburg.net