This is why a doctor won't tell his patient: "stop FOO". Instead, they might nudge him with information. Respecting the patients knowledge and struggle, a doctor is understanding, supporting and able to connect with others who have successfully "stopped FOO".

A good doctor understands that an eating disorder is part of a complex, intertwined and difficult to understand network of causes and effects. Helping the patient understand the complexity of the situation is often the first step towards a permanent solution.

Yes, I agree. Some people in this thread don't, and are saying that merely telling someone that smoking is harmful is enough to make that person stop smoking.

> Fat people know they're fat.

Many don't. Or they don't blame overeating. It's always "genetics" or "metabolism". Not just plain old overeating.

Sure, but even for those people merely telling them they're fat, and that they're fat because they eat the wrong food will do nothing to stop them from being fat.

> will do nothing to stop them from being fat.

I disagree with one point. It puts things into their control, rather than out of their control.

If the doctor says you're fat because your metabolism is low, or you're big boned, you can shrug it off and say "Well, there's nothing I can do about it, might as well not try."

If the doctor says you're fat because you eat too much food, you can do the same thing, but then at least the ball is in your court. You are fat because of your actions, and it's theoretically possible to change your actions, but it's definitely not possible to change your genetics or metabolism.