To be fair though, obesity is just a visible manifestation of a  compulsive, self destructive behavior. And most people have all kinds of compulsive behaviors that control them. 

You could even say that almost everyone is just a collection of compulsions.

Some are lucky in that their compulsions have mostly benefits - for example, healthy food and exercise compulsions. 

But at the end of the day, we are often powerless victims of our compulsions. 

Unless, of course, we learn to let go of and master those compulsions, through meditation, for example.  

Then we can choose which desires and aversions we will act upon, rather than the desires and compulsions acting on us.