With regard to Dr Tony Vendryes' article, 'Fat is not sexy' (January 19), I have a few things to say.

First, sexiness, as beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. Each of us is a unique individual and each of us has unique preferences. Just because body fat is not attractive to Dr Vendryes does not mean it is not attractive to everyone!

Second, the doctor's claim that fat women lack sexual drive seems to contradict a study reported by Reuters news agency on October 7, 2008, based on the September 2008 edition of Obstetrics and Gynaecology journal.

The report said, among other things, that a high body mass index (BMI), indicating overweight or obesity, might not play a significant role in women's sexual activity, researchers report. "'Obese and overweight women are just as sexually active as normal-weight women and need to be counselled similarly about their risks of unintended pregnancy and infection,' Dr Bliss E. Kaneshiro told Reuters Health. Kaneshiro, of the University of Hawaii in Honolulu, and colleagues base these findings on surveys from 6,690 women, 15 to 44 years old, who participated in the 2002 National Survey of Family Growth."

Stop blaming fat people

It's time to stop trying to blame the world's woes on fat people and attach every conceivable medical malady on extra body fat. Since sex is one of the most enjoyable forms of movement that I'm aware of, and one that I'm delighted to continue on an ongoing basis, it seems to me that doctors should be recommending increasing safe sex as a way to help increase one's fitness and health. Oh, but no, there's not much money to be made in encouraging that, is there?

I am,etc.,

PEGGY HOWELL

naafa_pr@yahoo.com

Oakland, California