The news keeps telling us we're living through an Obesity Epidemic. Britain and the USA are the worst offenders - apparently half the UK will be clinically obese by the year 2030.
Personally, I think if your weight is making you miserable, or affecting your day-to-day health... then do something about it. But if you're happy as you are - well, life's too short not to have that extra helping of pudding. You might be hit by a bus tomorrow. And the more padding you have, the more chance of survival.
Here's 10 songs to help you celebrate letting your belt out one more notch...
10. The Fat Boys & Chubby Checker - The Twist
(From 'The Best Of The Fat Boys'.)
Everyone laughed at The Fat Boys, but the Fat Boys had the last laugh when they became a huge success with their humorous rapping and human beatbox performances. Sadly, one of the Fat Boys died of a heart attack aged only 28. The other two appear to have slimmed down a little since then.
9. Chris Difford - Fat As A Fiddle
(From 'The Last Temptation Of Chris'.)
Now I have tits just like my mum
I'm out breath before I run
I like to eat because it's fun
But it comes at such a price.
I'm on the old brown rice and the herbal tea for the greater part of me.
If ever there were any doubt that Chris Difford is one of our greatest living lyricists...
8. Black Grape - Fat Neck
(From 'It's Great When You're Straight ... Yeah'.)
I dunno, I reckon if I had Shaun Ryder telling me I had a fat neck - I mean, Shaun Ryder! - that'd probably send me down Weightwatchers. The government ought to appoint him as Minister For Health. He'd sort out the obesity epidemic quick smart.
7. Babybird - 45 & Fat
(From 'Ugly Beautiful'.)
I'm working on my middle-aged spread so that in a few years time I can adopt this as my theme song. Pizza for tea last night - fish and chips for lunch today!
Stephen Jones claims here that he'll "sing about love until he's 45 and fat". He must have changed his mind, otherwise he'd have quit three years back. Phew!
6. Fats Domino - The Fat Man
(From 'Greatest Hits: Walking To New Orleans'.)
They call him the Fat Man - 'cos he weighs 200 pounds
But all the girls love him, 'cos he knows his way around
I bet Cee Lo Green can sympathise...
5. Queen - Fat Bottomed Girls
(From 'Jazz'.)
There were those who accused Queen of sexism back when this record was released in 1978. Oh yes, those enlightened ultra-pc days of the 70s! Compared to the likes of Sir Mixalot, Freddie and the gang's attitude now seems tame and quaint. Also - Freddie Mercury: sexist? Puh-lease.
4. Bad Manners - Lip Up, Fatty
(From 'Bad Manners'.)
Ah, Buster Bloodvessel. The world's unlikeliest pop star. The history of pop just wouldn't be the same without his boiler-suited girth. OK, Buster, you can put your tongue away now. Please.
3. Carter The Unstoppable Sex Machine - Sheriff Fatman
(From 'Straw Donkey: the Singles'.)
Someone call up Roger Cook and The United Nations!
2. Morrissey - You're The One For Me, Fatty
(From 'Your Arsenal'.)
Say what you want about Morrissey, but he knows his fanbase. He knows its made up of the lonely, the unpretty, the people who feel they don't quite belong, the freaks and geeks. (Hey, I should know.) And just as he reached out and put his arms around the wheelchair-bound "monster" spawned in November, here he gives a big hug to everyone who knows that Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others. For someone who hates the human race as much as Morrissey appears to, he's a mass of contradictions.
1. The Beautiful South - Perfect 10
(From 'Quench'.)
Here's a healthy response to the weight issue, from Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott...
If he's extra large - well, I'm in charge
I can work this thing on top
And if he's XXL - well, what the hell?
Every penny doesn't fit the slot
The anorexic chicks - the model 6...
Don't hold no weight with me
Well 8 or 9, yeah, that's just fine
I like to hold something I can see
It's obviously a subject close to Heaton's waistline as he released his debut solo album 'Fat Chance' under the pseudonym 'Biscuit Boy'.
OK, put down that cake and tell me your favourite fat song in the comments... and while you're getting interactive, don't forget to vote in this week's Title Fight - which is your favourite 'Drive' song?
