The battle is further explained in this short by revealing summary by New York times science writer Gina Kolata. There is nothing super encouraging here. No magic bullets. Just a complex set of interacting systems including genetics, hormones, and the environment that seem to conspire against us, make us fat, and then keep us overweight. This is worth understanding as background to all articles on weight and health. There is no easy path or magic bullet. But reviewed here is the important clue that even patients who have had bariatric surgery yet remain obese seem to achieve healthier profiles as reflected by reversal of diabetes and improvement in other metabolic markers. Perhaps a more fruitful and humane path is to stop demonizing overweight people and focus instead of fitness and health, as reported by Michael Hobbes in the Huffington Post below. To repeat: weight and fitness and health are not the same thing.