Adding a star rating system to unhealthy food in New Zealand won't deter people from buying fizzy drinks, eating sweets or buying takeaway.

They won't make a difference and will likely be another money-waster.

The question is why taxpayers or companies should be responsible for people's choices, resulting in NZ's obesity problem.

Nobody is forcing people what to eat, what we put in our trollies.

Nobody is feeding our family, cooking our dinner, preparing lunch boxes - except us. We have to take responsibility for our own actions: shopping, cooking and meals. Children rely on parents for advice, guidance and the right food.

Doing exercise is definitely a must, but most people are just too lazy or make excuses about being too busy.

In a country renowned for its great year-round weather and outdoor lifestyle, beaches and adventure sports, we shouldn't even have an obesity problem. Another key issue is many people are no longer happy. There's countless books, programmes etc which focus on being happy and finding inner peace. Perhaps if we were more at ease with ourselves and our life and learned to be happy, we could solve the obesity problem as people become more motivated, don't stress eat and/or overcompensate with alcohol. Your health and wellbeing, and that of your family, is in your hands.

Putting stars on food we know is bad and should be avoided doesn't remove ownership.

S Mueller, Mount Maunganui.