So May has arrived as has swine flu. Being married to a GP I am more than aware of the intensive government action being put into place to ensure that should a mass outbreak occur we will be ready to contain the disease as much as possible.

I am comforted to know this because we actually don’t live a million miles away from Falkirk where the first cases in the UK appeared. Not a great way to end a paradise honeymoon. So I know that the medics in this country are ready willing and able to deal with and control a major health risk, should it arise.

If only someone somewhere would have the energy and commitment to do the same about the less exciting but none the less important epidemic of obesity. Just last week I went to speak to a small group of nurses, medics and support staff.  A great deal of finger wagging has been done by our Nanny State telling us that the only way to slim is to eat less and do more, so it is not surprising to find that most of the people in the room had no idea about the connection between insulin and weight gain nor did some of the key personnel know that insulin will actively encourage cancer and weight gain.

This was disappointing but not surprising.  What we need for our own home grown problem is an open and enquiring mind and the honesty to accept that the last 30 years of preaching low calorie low fat has simply not worked.

Have a great bank holiday and enjoy the good weather if you are having it.