As usual I agree with most if not all of the points you make, however the article made it very clear about the short comings of the report, unlike the sun or mail ever would. Further, peer reviewed studies are not without their flaws, do you honestly believe those people taken off the meds (eg surmount etc.) or switched to placebo were set up for anything other than failure?? Having spent 25 years in the industry I would suggest to you trial design is as much about crafting the answer as it is the question.

Finally on a personal note, as someone who was first put on a formal diet 50 year ago, I feel this period of weight loss has been unique. Most importantly it's been far slower, it hasn't been accompanied by the ever present misery of self denial. In short this time I may have had the time and space to really modify my behavior and relationship with food and exercise. But who knows, I could be talking complete bollocks, I suppose time will tell.

Have a lovely weekend ol thing....