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Did Michelle Obama Send the Wrong Message With Obesity Comments?
ABC News ^ | 5 Feb 10 | HUMA KHAN

Posted on 02/05/2010 6:46:27 AM PST by SkyPilot

Michelle Obama has earned accolades for making healthy living and eliminating childhood obesity a priority as first lady. But when it came down to personalizing the issue in relation to her daughters, the remarks touched a nerve with some, and praise from others.

The first lady made the issue of healthy eating personal last week at an event in Alexandria, Va., where she kicked off a campaign addressing the issue of childhood obesity.

"We went to our pediatrician all the time," Obama said. "I thought my kids were perfect -- they are and always will be -- but he [the doctor] warned that he was concerned that something was getting off balance."

"I didn't see the changes. And that's also part of the problem, or part of the challenge. It's often hard to see changes in your own kids when you're living with them day in and day out," she added. "But we often simply don't realize that those kids are our kids, and our kids could be in danger of becoming obese. We always think that only happens to someone else's kid -- and I was in that position."

Obama said the doctor suggested she first look at her daughters' body mass index (BMI). The minor changes she subsequently made in their daily habits, Obama said, made all the difference.

The first lady's comments have stirred up the Web and medical world, and have drawn both criticism and praise. Some say Obama should not have personalized the issue and brought up her daughters. Even if it is for the greater public good, critics say, it does not bode well for their self-image. .....

The first lady's office would not comment on the criticism.

(Excerpt) Read more at abcnews.go.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: daughters; flotusmichelle; michelle; obama; obesity
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To: basil

It’s easy to keep your kids out of the spotlight when you have them being escorted to Sidwell Friends everyday — but don’t you dare let another under-privileged kid get into that school with the DC Opportunity Scholarship Program! It would be a shame if those scholarship kids show what a success that program can be and undermine the Teacher’s Union stonewalling. Heaven forbid that President Obama keep his pledge to do “what works”.

Where is the media covering the hypocrisy of President Obama’s kids going off to their plush private school every day when aspiring under-privileged kids in the ghetto are being denied a similar opportunity and getting forced into the failure that is the DC public school system? And Dept. of Ed Secretary Arne Duncan choosing to live in Fairfax County so he doesn’t have to consider exposing his kids to the DC Public Schools... and all of the Congress-critters. Shameful.


21 posted on 02/05/2010 7:08:58 AM PST by ReleaseTheHounds ("The demagogue is one who preaches doctrines he knows to be untrue to men he knows to be idiots.")
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To: SkyPilot

I hope Michelle realizes the difference between kids getting fat, and their bodies preparing to go through puberty.

I know with my own kids, I knew when a growth spurt was about to happen when they would gain weight, and poof before I knew it they were an inch taller & much slimmer.


22 posted on 02/05/2010 7:09:41 AM PST by tiredoflaundry (I will not be silenced.)
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Comment #23 Removed by Moderator

To: mrmeyer
I think fat ass has self esteem issues

Yeah, living with a self-proclaimed-god might have that effect.
24 posted on 02/05/2010 7:17:53 AM PST by Happyinmygarden (Yes, actually, I have pretty much seen and heard it all before...)
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To: SkyPilot

BMI is a terrible measure of anything.


25 posted on 02/05/2010 7:26:39 AM PST by bvw
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Comment #26 Removed by Moderator

To: bvw

When I was in the best shape of my life, my BMI was still over 25, it makes no accomodation for muscle mass and build.


27 posted on 02/05/2010 7:28:18 AM PST by dirtboy
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To: SkyPilot

I am no fan of Michelle 0bama, but wow - what is the problem here?

She just stated that while she thought her girls were healthy and eating properly, testing showed that there were imbalances, so she made adjustments. That’s a good message for ANYONE - many of us may think we’re just fine, but it’s a good idea to get checked out to see if we may have issues.

As far as bringing up her daughters and their possible weight issues, I guess she just meant to show that even when kids health is being monitored regularly, there can still be problems.

I WISH that’s as hurtful as my mom ever got with comments!

There are thousands of things to go after this family about, but this isn’t one of them.


28 posted on 02/05/2010 7:31:16 AM PST by Joann37
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To: mrmeyer

Michelle should be taking her own advice. She has a huge ass & need to take a second look at herself in the Obama magic looking glass.


29 posted on 02/05/2010 7:36:41 AM PST by mendedheart
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To: dirtboy

Has anyone studied deaths due to weight loss dieting? My wife developed hypoglycemia after she lost 65 pounds in a year on Weight Watchers. At least one U Penn specialist said it may have been due to the weight loss or the change in diet. Non-Atkins weight loss programs go far too low on fats.


30 posted on 02/05/2010 7:36:46 AM PST by bvw
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Comment #33 Removed by Moderator

To: reagan_fanatic

LOL! Too much!


34 posted on 02/05/2010 7:43:27 AM PST by Vendome (Don't take life so seriously... You'll never live through it.)
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To: SkyPilot; Allegra; big'ol_freeper; Lil'freeper; TrueKnightGalahad; blackie; Larry Lucido; ...
The next time you are out at the mall or Walmart, take a look at who is really, really fat.

Then get back to me and report... so the post can be deleted by the Fat Police--

35 posted on 02/05/2010 7:43:58 AM PST by Bender2 ("I've got a twisted sense of humor, and everything amuses me." RAH Beyond this Horizon)
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To: y6162

Skinny Well Fed.


36 posted on 02/05/2010 7:44:07 AM PST by Vendome (Don't take life so seriously... You'll never live through it.)
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To: Happyinmygarden

Help stomp out steatopygous women.


37 posted on 02/05/2010 7:44:51 AM PST by Ed Condon (Wanted, newer tag line in good condition.)
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To: Joann37

Or perhaps she’s making the entire thing up. Don’t put it past her to spin anything to bring adoration from the masses.


38 posted on 02/05/2010 7:45:18 AM PST by bgill (The framers of the US Constitution established an entire federal government in 18 pages.)
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Comment #39 Removed by Moderator

To: Salamander

Barack Hussein Obama deserved better parents too, mmm mmmm mmmm.


40 posted on 02/05/2010 7:56:58 AM PST by a fool in paradise ("like it or not, we have to have a financial system that is healthy and functioning" Obama 2/4/2010)
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