A recent article in the Los Angeles Times poses the question “Are you fat because your doctor didn’t tell you?” I’ll buy the possibility that some mildly overweight patients might not actually know that they’re fat not just “fluffy.” I’ll also accept that some patients underestimate their degree of obesity.

Yet it’s impossible to put a patient’s failure to recognize obesity on the treating physician. If you’re overweight, by any amount, ask your doctor about it. But only ask if you’d like to commit to reducing your weight and gaining a healthy lifestyle. Your doctor cannot follow you around and limit your intake or increase your activity. If you can’t or won’t commit then you’ll only frustrate both of you.

It’s your health, take it seriously and be responsible.