Can a Size 18 Surgeon General Inspire a Fat Nation?

But growth in obesity rate has slowed down significantly

(NEWSER) - The once-explosive growth in the proportion of Americans who are obese has slowed, but it's still expected to grow to 42% by 2030, according to the latest Centers for Disease Control study. The study found that if the obesity rate stays at the current level—34%—then some $550 billion in health care costs would be saved, reports the Washington Post . Earlier studies predicted that 51% of Americans would be obese by 2030, but no matter which is correct, "we still have a very serious problem," the head of the CDC's obesity program says. More»

Benjamin served on fast-food company's nutritional advisory panel

(NEWSER) - Burger King has paid Regina Benjamin, President Obama’s pick for surgeon general, $10,000 this year for serving on an advisory panel to the fast-food giant, the Washington Times reports. Administration reps say the Alabama physician used her position on Burger King’s nutritional advisory board to advocate for low-sodium foods and clear presentation of nutrition information, and plans to resign if and when the Senate confirms her as surgeon general. More»

(NEWSER) - Fox News ripped into President Obama's choice for surgeon general yesterday for being too fat for the job. "Enough fat for my next guest to say 'fat chance' for Dr. Regina Benjamin to even be considered," said host Neil Cavuto. The guest? Not a public health expert or even a politician, but a Denver gym owner wearing a "No Chubbies" T-shirt, notes Talking Points Memo. More»

(NEWSER) - A few extra pounds can actually be good for you, the Globe and Mail reports. A recent long-term study of Canadian health records shows that people classified as overweight—with a Body Mass Index of 25 to 30—are 17% less likely to die than those with “normal” BMI, between 18.5 and 25. The study also found that extremely thin and obese people have a far higher mortality rate. More»

Being extremely overweight can trim a decade from lifespans

(NEWSER) - Obesity can take years off a life, and in some cases is as dangerous to health as smoking, reports USA Today. Researchers analyzing studies involving almost a million people found that obese adults died an average of three years earlier than people with a healthy body-mass index. Extremely obese adults—100 or more pounds overweight—died up to a decade sooner. More»