Did anyone hear Radio 4's News Quiz this evening? One of the panelists cited underactive thyroid as a lame excuse given by the obese!

[RosamundG]

Absolutely furious about his ignorance! Yes, I did send an e-mail in objecting to it and I think everyone else should too. The ignorance is astounding.

[beaton]

I'll catch it tomorrow.x

[Babette]

I disagree. I've just listened to it and didn't see (or hear?) it as offensive. I heard it as the panelist saying that some overweight people would claim to have an underactive thyroid as an excuse for weight problems in the same way as they would say that they were "big boned" or it was "in their genes". Of course genuinely having an underactive thyroid is a completely different story as many of us know all too well, but I didn't interpret what was said as being aimed at anyone who genuinely has it. In a way it actually pokes fun at the ignorance of overweight people who don't understand what a thyroid problem entails.

The programme can be listened to at bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03wsnwz .

The section starts at around 13 mins.

B