obesity

People concerned about childhood obesity often point a finger at fast-food restaurants for using fun to make their food more appealing to children, from cartoon characters to toy giveaways and restaurants that look like playgrounds. In one example of this, staffers at the School of Medicine and Boston Medical Center signed a petition asking McDonalds to retire their Ronald McDonald character, and other health experts concurred. But according to McDonalds, the clown isn’t going anywhere.

The second National Obesity Summit was held this past April 28 – May 1 in Ottawa, and it’s an unfortunate fact that out-of-control obesity rates make such events necessary. The first event two years ago drew 400 attendees, whereas this year it climbed to 750.

I love reading www.weightymatters.ca. Written by Canadian nutrition watchdog, family doctor and founder of Ottawa’s Bariatric Medical Institute, Dr. Yoni Freedhoff, the good doctor always makes me think and causes me to challenge my assumptions.

My friend Dr. Yoni Freedhoff, on his excellent blog Weighty Matters, says, “Yes,” obesity should be an election issue — and he’s right.

Reading a recent article in the New York Times health blog about the growing stigma of being overweight made me sad.