Your editorial, “Link between obesity and rising cancers in young adults suggests health crisis,” (Feb. 6), may overlook a primary cause of the epidemic: the influence of dietitians and doctors who have long prescribed low-fat diets to their overweight patients and discouraged fasts of any duration. Since fat alone, among macronutrients, does not raise blood sugar, this strategy leads to continuously elevated glucose levels, insulin resistance and weight gain.

The answer is simple: eat more fat and fewer meals. For more information consult the excellent work of Jason Fong, online or in print.

It’s a strange world indeed where fasting, which is demonstrably safe, is considered to require medical supervision, yet the continuous consumption of French fries, candy, donuts and sodas is not.

William Allik

Stonington