₦airaland Forum

Dpharmacist:
You keep repeating The “Just Exercise and Eat Less” Argument which is Flawed


I keep seeing people say that obesity is purely a personal choice and that anyone can lose weight if they just exercise and eat better. While personal responsibility is important, this argument oversimplifies a complex issue and ignores real-life challenges.

Here’s why blaming obesity entirely on willpower and habits is misleading:

1. It’s Not Just About “Trying Harder”

Saying “no one is stopping you from exercising” assumes that everyone has the time, energy, and resources to do so. But in reality:

Many people work long hours in sedentary or physically demanding jobs, leaving them exhausted.

Some areas have limited access to fresh, healthy food, making cheap processed food the only option.

Medical conditions like hypothyroidism, PCOS, and insulin resistance make weight loss harder, even with diet and exercise.

Stress, depression, and trauma often lead to emotional eating or disordered eating habits.

If weight loss were as simple as “just eat less and move more,” we wouldn’t have a global obesity epidemic.


2. The Environment Shapes Our Choices

People don’t live in a vacuum—our surroundings play a huge role in shaping behavior:

Junk food is heavily marketed and often cheaper than healthy options.

Many urban areas lack safe spaces for exercise—no parks, no sidewalks, unsafe neighborhoods.

Workplaces promote sedentary lifestyles, where people sit all day with little movement.

Gym memberships, personal trainers, and meal plans cost money—not everyone can afford them.


Telling people to "just train at home or outside" ignores these real barriers.


3. Blaming People Lacks Empathy

No one chooses to be obese the way they choose a hobby. Many overweight people have tried multiple diets, workout plans, and lifestyle changes, but weight loss isn’t a straight path.

Obesity is a chronic condition, not just laziness.

Weight gain happens gradually; by the time someone realizes they are obese, reversing it is much harder than preventing it.

Medications, hormones, and genetics play a role—some people gain weight much more easily than others.

Dismissing all of this as “just excuses” is both ignorant and harmful.


4. The System Can and Should Change

Some say, “The system won’t change, people just need to adapt.” But public health campaigns have changed countless times for the better:

Smoking laws reduced tobacco-related deaths.

Seatbelt laws saved lives.

Nutritional labeling helps people make better food choices.

So why not work on policies that make healthy living easier? Things like:

Affordable, nutritious food options.

Better city planning for walkable spaces and fitness-friendly environments.

Wellness programs in workplaces and schools.

Regulating misleading junk food marketing.


Summary

Yes, personal responsibility matters, but it’s not the only factor. A healthy society isn’t about forcing anyone to do anything—it’s about making healthy choices more accessible so that people don’t have to struggle just to stay fit.

I hope you understand now.

All what you listed are still same excuses why many will remain overweight and keep getting sick.Some say time factor but you will be surprised by the time they spend on their phones or sitting on the couch watching TV.You wrote as if basic exercises requires hours to do,no it doesn't.Exercises like push up,squats,plyometrics, lounge,horse stand,sit ups etc does not really take much time.30 to 45 min is okay for a beginner.And this can be done in your own home.

I acknowledge that some medical conditions can prevent some people from reaching their goals but this occurs in other issues in life but this should not be used entirely as an excuse to remain unhealthy.
And what makes you think lean or fit people don't face
depression or other health problems as well? Many do also but won't allow that as an impediment to remain overweight.

The issue of junk food is a choice.There are many different food stuff to choose.Some people eat one meal per day, others twice, other five times etc.All boils down to personal responsibilities to stay healthy.

Tendd:
All what you listed are still same excuses why many will remain overweight and keep getting sick.Some say time factor but you will be surprised by the time they spend on their phones or sitting on the couch watching TV.You wrote as if basic exercises requires hours to do,no it doesn't.Exercises like push up,squats,plyometrics, lounge,horse stand,sit ups etc does not really take much time.30 to 45 min is okay for a beginner.And this can be done in your own home.

I acknowledge that some medical conditions can prevent some people from reaching their goals but this occurs in other issues in life but this should not be used entirely as an excuse to remain unhealthy.
And what makes you think lean or fit people don't face
depression or other health problems as well? Many do also but won't allow that as an impediment to remain overweight.

The issue of junk food is a choice.There are many different food stuff to choose.Some people eat one meal per day, others twice, other five times etc.All boils down to personal responsibilities to stay healthy.

1 question for you. Are you obese?

Dpharmacist:
1 question for you. Are you obese?

No,l am not but l have fat people in my family.l am quite interested on health and wellness and often wonder why certain people or demographic can do it better while others are unable.
For example, l recently went through a survey on sporting events like popular distance running races like halv marathon, marathons,10 km races across the world.I was surprised that very few Nigerians even participate in such races.A race of about 55 to 60 thousand normal working class people and you will find only 10 Nigerians.These are races in London and USA where millions of Nigerians resides.

Apart from South Africa, the turnouts for most Africans is the same.Everyone must not run such races,but the often low turnouts,is a clear pointer of a people and their sedentary lifestyle.Any wonder why obesity and premature deaths is rife among
Nigerians in the diaspora.4 out of 5 adult black women in the USA is obese.About 72% of blacks in the UK are in similar health condition.For us at home, the government has failed, what is the excuse of the people abroad?

Tendd:
No,l am not but l have fat people in my family.l am quite interested on health and wellness and often wonder why certain people or demographic can do it better while others are unable.
For example, l recently went through a survey on sporting events like popular distance running races like halv marathon, marathons,10 km races across the world.I was surprised that very few Nigerians even participate in such races.A race of about 55 to 60 thousand normal working class people and you will find only 10 Nigerians.These are races in London and USA where millions of Nigerians resides.

Apart from South Africa, the turnouts for most Africans is the same.Everyone must not run such races,but the often low turnouts,is a clear pointer of a people and their sedentary lifestyle.Any wonder why obesity and premature deaths is rife among
Nigerians in the diaspora.4 out of 5 adult black women in the USA is obese.About 72% of blacks in the UK are in similar health condition.For us at home, the government has failed, what is the excuse of the people abroad?

This happens because their country encourages them to do so. In Nigeria we rarely care about fitness and exercise yet you are arguing with me that obesity is mostly personal not systemic.

Though your choice is important but the environment matters alot. Hence why the Japanese has people who lived the longest aging above 100 and not UK.

If you have a nation or society that encourages a particular behavior people will do it. The reason the US is home to entrepreneurship is because the nation supports it and make the environment favorable. Harvard University labeled as the best university in the world is a private university not government owned.

So I believe you get my point now.

ednut1:
lies

Really?
You think everyone reacts to the same amount of sugar and carbohydrates the same way?

There are such things as genetics and metabolic abnormalities.

What of exercises and sedentary lifestyles?

You think those are immaterial too?

donbenie:
Really?
You think everyone reacts to the same amount of sugar and carbohydrates the same way?

There are such things as genetics and metabolic abnormalities.

What of exercises and sedentary lifestyles?

You think those are immaterial too?

before the advent and popularity of carbs and sugar from the 70s onwards. You cannot see a picture of people in the west in a beach or outside fat. Metabolism is just a cheap excuse for bad behaviour and uncontrolled eating

ednut1:
before the advent and popularity of carbs and sugar from the 70s onwards. You cannot see a picture of people in the west in a beach or outside fat. Metabolism is just a cheap excuse for bad behaviour and uncontrolled eating

In as much as the amount of food you tuck in maybe the single most important factor in obesity..

Blaming it solely for the fat epidemic is not being factual..

What of the fact that people have become more sedentary since the 70s?

They have become Couch potatoes..

Staring at their gadgets all day long, versus the outdoor lifestyle of the yesteryears.

Or the fact that as a consequence of these lifestyle choices,many metabolic disorders are more rife?

Dpharmacist:
This happens because their country encourages them to do so. In Nigeria we rarely care about fitness and exercise yet you are arguing with me that obesity is mostly personal not systemic.

Though your choice is important but the environment matters alot. Hence why the Japanese has people who lived the longest aging above 100 and not UK.

If you have a nation or society that encourages a particular behavior people will do it. The reason the US is home to entrepreneurship is because the nation supports it and make the environment favorable. Harvard University labeled as the best university in the world is a private university not government owned.

So I believe you get my point now.

Our country organizes different running races in the country yearly and we have gyms and outdoor training centers,so I think they are doing their best with still room for improvements.
My point here is about Nigerians and other nationals residing in USA,UK, Germany etc.Why is it likely to find an average Indian,Turk, Pakistani,Mexican,Moroccan,South African etc with regular jobs, turn up in their numbers, to take part in such fitness event like Marathon whereas you can't
find Nigerians.We also find retirees in their 70s,80s as participants but you can't find our people of the same age bracket.I don't think their governments are calling or informing anyone to go run,it's a free choice from regular folks
prioritizing their health.You see now everything boils to personal choices,to run or not to run.

The lead cause of deaths globally is heart disease and cardio exercises like running are essential for our cardiovascular health.Are we saying that Nigerians in the diaspora don't understand this,judging by the
usual low turn outs to such sporting events?A lot
work in healthcare sector and should know better.What makes other nationals better than our
people on that domain?


I noticed you post on health -related issues.You can make some research on this.There are lots of marathon races globally.

Tendd:
Our country organizes different running races in the country yearly and we have gyms and outdoor training centers,so I think they are doing their best.
My point here is about Nigerians and other nationals residing in USA,UK, Germany etc.Why is it likely to find an average Indians,Turks, Pakistanis,Mexicans, Moroccans,South Africans etc with regular jobs, turn up in their numbers, to take part in such fitness event like Marathon whereas you can't find Nigerians.We also find retirees in their 70s,80s as participants but you can't find our people of the age bracket.I don't think their governments are calling or informing anyone to go run,its a free choice from regular folks
prioritizing their health.You see now everything boils to personal choices,to run or not to run.

The lead cause of deaths globally is heart disease and cardio exercises like running are essential for our cardiovascular health.Are we saying that Nigerians in the diaspora don't understand this,judging by the usual low turn outs to such sporting events?A lot are working in healthcare sector.What makes other nationals better than our people on that domain?

I noticed you post on health -related issues.You can make some research on this.There are lots of marathon races globally.

Hope you know that despite this running, exercises and all, countries like US still have higher obesity and other non communicable diseases more than Nigeria.

Dpharmacist:
Hope you know that despite this running, exercises and all, countries like US still have higher obesity and other non communicable diseases more than Nigeria.

Yeah, but they have a higher life expectancy than Nigerians abroad and those at home in general.lnfact,USA,linda loma California is among the five countries of the blue zones,those that live past a hundred years.Our life expectancy is only 53, slightly above chad Republic.
Even at that, the obesity rate in the USA is higher among blacks than other demographics,with 80% of black women topping the chart.