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

They will not make a difference and will likely be another money-waster. The question is why taxpayers or companies should be responsible to pay for other people's choices, which has resulted in NZ's obesity problem.

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

Nobody is feeding our family, cooking our dinner, or preparing daily lunch boxes - except ourselves. We have to take responsibility for our own actions. We're responsible for our own shopping, cooking and meals. Children are reliant on their parents for advice, guidance and the right food, but that means they just have to be even more responsible.

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.

We live in a paradise that is made to be used – we should be one of the fittest nations in the world.

I do believe another key issue is many people are no longer happy – there are countless books, programmes and motivational speakers which focus on being happy and finding inner peace etc.

Perhaps if we were more at ease with ourselves, life, and learned to be happy, we could solve the obesity problem as people become more motivated, and don't stress eat or overcompensate with alcohol. It's a catch 22 situation - we need peace and happiness to solve NZ's obesity epidemic, but we also need to be fitter and healthier to be happier, less stressed and more content with daily life.

We need to wake up and take responsibility. Your health and wellbeing, as well as that of your family, is in your hands.

Stop blaming others, and start taking action towards a healthier you and healthier NZ today.

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

Change is a process, not an event. Happy exercising.

S Mueller, Mount Maunganui