Last year, a few of my regular patients, with whom I am happy to have a little banter, took a prod at me, as they’d noticed I’d put on some weight over the several years they’ve known me.

It’s not as if I didn’t already know, but the pointer was a great reminder to burn some calories and reiterate those New Year’s resolutions of old.

However, the issue touched a deeper nerve, as these patients were in their 60s, 70s and 80s, and had stayed the same weight for the past several decades.

Suddenly the tables had turned. Did I need their advice on diet and lifestyle?