How much of the obesity epidemic can we attribute to personal decision-making?

[DemPGH]

The thing is, the vast majority of people can lose weight well through their forties at which point it starts to get more difficult, but it is possible. To lose weight, especially a lot of weight, you have to burn off what's already there plus what you consume on a daily basis, and that's why it's hard. Exercise and starving yourself as it were is really just the way to do it. Not everyone has the discipline to do it.

Now I do think advertising plays a part in it (although junk food seems directed at younger people), but it comes down to choice. When you're in your twenties you're not a child anymore and you can lose weight and make better choices. I voted 90%.