Whose potbelly is it anyway?

Professor Inez de Beaufort gave the Council's 2010 annual lecture on ethics, obesity and public health, at the Royal Society.

Watch a video of the lecture.

Professor de Beaufort made arguments around four propositions:

1. An individual ought to lose weight or not become obese because it is healthy and therefore in his/her own interest.

2. An individual ought to lose weight because obesity is a sign of a weak character.

3. An individual ought to lose weight or not become obese because being fat is ugly.

4. An individual ought to lose weight or not
become obese because (the consequences of) obesity are a burden to others.

Illustrating her points with clips from film and television, Inez provoked a lively discussion amongst members of the audience.