Dear FRONTLINE,

The Frontline episode that addressed obesity was wonderfully put together. I feel that obesity is often based on the genes that we are born with, although as stated in the program, diet and exercise (work)play a vital role in determining our body weight. As a woman I would indeed like to pose a question to men: Do you find rail thin models attractive? In my opinion they look very unhealthy, sickly even and besides those clothes they wear down the runway? Who wears that? I'd rather shop at K-Mart and look like a normal person. I guess it all comes down to what our society deems as beautiful.... I think we are confused.

midland, mi

Dear FRONTLINE,

I would have appreciated more information on start-up exercise for "obese" persons like myself who are more interested in increasing fitness, and losing weight secondarily.

windsor, ct

Dear FRONTLINE,

Why is it every program about fat people means Fat Women, Fat Men are Living in Hell With the Fat Haters as well, but we are seldom mentioned, try walking in my shoes for a day, Fat women can always find a Man who will love them, not so with very fat men, Women in General Hate fat Men...pure and Simple, I'm 40 years old and will spend the rest of my life alone, been fat since age 8, tried everything and it's not going anywhere untill I die...Oh Well!

waco, texas

Dear FRONTLINE,

To Whom it may concern, I am an overweight female and have also been fighting the bulge. Lately for some unknown reason my weight is increasing steadily, is it because I have suddenly hit thirty, or is it simply that I have had two children and my metabolism has changed.I am losing confidence in myself and things are not getting any easier for me as a matter of fact life is becoming more difficult. Boy could I ever use some good suggestions on how to go about some sort of proper weight loss programs something that I can live with in this day and age.

Serena With
windsor, canada

Dear FRONTLINE,

Finally!! I have waited so long for someone to tell us that we don't have to be thin to be beautiful. I am Big and Beautiful and proud of it!!

winnipeg, mb,canada

Dear FRONTLINE,

Why are doctors so sure that its "fats" that make you fat. I'm on a low carb mailing list on web. Many people are very successful at losing weight, controlling diabetes, and lowering cholesterol values by eating low carbohydrates thus decreasing effects of hyperinsulinemia. All we hear is low fat/hicarb. It's time to look at low-carb more intensively.

JoAnne Bowen
ludlow, ma

Dear FRONTLINE,

FAT is gross, period. I was fat I was gross and since I learned to eat properly - meaning LOW FAT food and plenty of vegatables and vegtable proteins and grains, etc. - I am not fat; I am not gross. 45 pounds (157,500 cal.) lighter and feeling better than any other time in this life.

bill sharkan
bethlehem, pa

Dear FRONTLINE,

No, our bodies break down under excess weight. It's true some of us our more apt to gain weight. But for the sake of overall health, one cannot be fit and fat.

jax, fl