Dear Ms Thompson,

Congratulations on a great article, 'Fatness is driving an epidemic'. I genuinely felt sorry for the person in the picture! Please keep up the good work of writing on health and related topics. I love to read your articles.

In response to a major health challenge and the leading of the good Lord, I became a vegetarian (including fish) in October 2007 with sensational results. I lost 25-30 pounds and have kept it off, so far so good, with help from my ongoing exercise programme. My annual medical check-up was the best I have had in a decade!

All the best for the season and 2009.

- Marion Blake

Send questions and comments to our health specialists at Your Health, c/o The Gleaner, 7 North Street, Kingston; email: yourhealth@gleanerjm.com. Unless otherwise indicated, letters and the specialists' responses are usually published.