Andy Beckett’s article (Opinion, 25 July) comparing the political heat and scorching weather in 1976 to now is even more revealing if you examine the photograph of Brighton beach that accompanies it – there are almost no obese people. Just like the economies of then and now, the significant difference is in the underlying general health. The people in Brighton in 1976 were fundamentally fitter than the general population of 2018, with much less car ownership (and less pollution), less processed food, more exercise for children, no home computers and almost no personal debt for ordinary people.
Few would claim that the late 70s were good for Britain politically or economically, but there was not an endless conveyor belt of companies exiting Britain or established companies asset-stripped by greedy bosses gutting pensions, or personal debt at levels no one is even talking about any more. Plus, we weren’t shutting ourselves out from trade with our nearest neighbours while a lunatic president shut everyone out from trade with the US. So, yes, interesting similarities but hugely worrying differences.
Amanda Baker
Edinburgh
• After reading Sofie Hagen’s article (Enough of the fat suits…, 26 July) then turning to letters (Leading the fight against child obesity), I am in something of a quandary. As a relatively liberal person, do I laud Hagen’s stance on her (presumed) obesity or deplore the example she is setting in ignoring the serious health issues involved in maintaining a high body mass index?
I write as somebody who knows the consequences of obesity, having run, with my wife, a general practice diabetes clinic for over 20 years, during which period the number of indviduals developing the disease has soared, placing an ever increasing burden on our struggling NHS. Needless to say they were virtually all obese, and in many cases had ignored our warnings for many years before developing the disease.
Dr Peter Glanvill
Chard, Somerset
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