A British study will try to prove what we believe. Obese patients to diet for science Actually, they have an interesting hypothesis to test.

Researchers are hoping to recruit 400 overweight and obese people for a study to see whether excess weight and a lack of exercise causes the joints of the knee to fail.

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They will be split into two groups, one undergoing a tough weight loss programme, the others will simply get advice leaflets.

Half of both groups will also be put through an exercise programme to strengthen the quadricep muscles in their knees.

This will allow scientists to study whether it is the lack of exercise or the excess weight which has caused the problems.

This is an interesting study design. I will be interested in the results, and especially at their success rate. Can we do a better job motivating patients and helping them lose weight and become more active? We probably should do many such studies.