There are so many news items, programs, advertisements and T.V shows on obesity, it is probably time to sum up some of what the research says about the topic.

Note: I am neither a medical doctor nor a dietician/nutritionist.  However, I am an exercise physiologist and health educator with more than three decades of experience.  I have also organised childhood obesity clinics at the former BCAE (Carseldine) and Griffith University.
As world-wide research in the area is ongoing, many answers to the questions are not definitive and can only be based on what we know now.
Q. Is this generation fatter than previous ones?
A. Yes, without a doubt.  All the epidemiological evidence points to that fact with weight-to-height measures particularly showing greater fatness with adults and children.  [I know BMI is not the perfect measure, but it is still indicates body fat and, in population studies, it is valid in showing changes over time.]
We also don’t need statistics to show us the changes.  Anyone standing on a beach or in Queen Street today and 30 years ago, would be astounded at the deterioration over that time.
Q.    Is it a problem being overweight/fat?
A.    Yes.  We know that it is a risk factor for diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and some cancers.  For most people, it also effects psychological health.  From a practical aspect, mobility is effected and for some, clothes are a problem.
Q.    Do dramatic diet or exercise programs work (eg. Celebrity diets, biggest looser etc)?
A.    In the long term, generally, no.  Humans hate major changes to their lifestyle, whether it is eating or exercise habits.  Research shows that the vast majority of people who choose a dramatic remedy, revert back to old practices and body fat very quickly (often with an added feeling of defeat).
Q.    Do creams, rubs, wrapping or saunas or spas work?
A.    No. Fat cells (adipocytes) don’t disappear.  They simply get bigger or smaller by losing or gaining lipid in the cell.  You can’t get rid of that by any of the above.  There may be compression or local dehydration, but there is no real research evidence that they work to reduce fat.
Q.    Can I lose fat where I want to?
A.    Sorry, no. Gender and genetics decides where you will put on fat and take it off.
Q.    Do drugs work?
A.    Yes and no.  Drugs are generally appetite suppressants or those that effect metabolism.  There is plenty of research going on as they have great potential to make money.  They may be effective in the short-term, although side-effects may have to be considered.  The jury is still out on this issue.
Q.    Is exercise the answer?
A.    No, not by itself.  For most people, it needs to be combined with sensible nutrition to be most effective (see below).  The values of exercise include the following:
1.    It uses energy and metabolism stays up even after the exercise is finished if it is aerobic.
2.    The right exercises increase lean (muscle) tissue.  The more lean tissue a person has, the greater their resting metabolism (the energy used by the body at rest).  Thus helping in the equation.
3.    Exercise has other health benefits such as protection from cardiovascular disease and strengthening major muscles (especially in the back).
4.    In children, exercise can increase movement skills and self esteem.
Q. What is the answer?
A. Upset the balance of energy expenditure and intake.
(BMR is basic metabolic rate or resting metabolism)
Increase expenditure with small changes to walking and activity habits.  Get a pedometer and try and do 10,000 steps on at least some days.
Go to a gym if you like, but at least learn to do some simple resistance training exercise a few times a week.
Decrease intake with sensible nutrition (not diet).  Restrict junk food and sweet and fatty foods.  (Look up Nutrition Australia’s website for the Healthy Diet Pyramid).
Also try and follow the 5 vegetables and 2 fruit that are currently being promoted.  A qualified dietician is a very good idea to consider.
Whatever you do, try and upset the balance by working on both sides.