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

Mrs. Obama says that she was too close to really see the changes in her girls and when the doctor suggested that Mrs. Obama look at her daughters’ BMI numbers, she made small diet changes. Those small changes that she made in their daily habits helped to pull the numbers back into balance.

Instead of being applauded for her efforts, Mrs. Obama has been the subject of controversy for her use of the word “diet.” Reports have said that by using her daughters as an example, she may have harmed their self-esteem. Some critics have said that she should have focused more on lifestyle change, instead of weight loss.

As a mom of young girls, I can see both sides of this issue. I think Mrs. Obama – and President Obama, too, for he has discussed his daughter’s weight and need to diet in the media before – meant well. They were trying to get a message across, and using he word “diet” is indeed sending a clear message.

I try really hard not to use the word diet; for me, the term “diet” demonstrates  a beginning and an end. I truly do not want my girls – or my boys for that matter, but girls struggle more with this issue – to think that healthy eating is a “once in a while, until you reach your goal weight” event. If weight was beginning to be an issue, I would work with them to make small, sustainable steps to improve their overall health – choosing water over soda, for example, or whole fruit instead of juice.

The tween/teen years are difficult enough, and hormonal changes and puberty can cause a young girl’s body to make so many changes that often, a focus on obesity becomes a focus on appearance. Focusing on appearance can often lead to eating disorders.  The take away message that I want my children to remember from our discussions on weight is, “I love you just exactly the way you are. I want you to be the best that you can be. Let’s play and eat well so that we can be at our best and enjoy our time together for years to come.”

Also Read:

Sasha and Malia Obama’s Healthy School Lunch Menu

Michelle Obama Spotlights Child Obesity Epidemic

Barack Obama Chili Recipe

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Michelle Obama’s Obesity Comments about Sasha and Malia

Keeping in line with other previous presidents, President Obama takes his health very seriously. Not only does he start his day with a morning workout but he and first lady Michelle have created a White House community garden in order to extol the benefits of eating fruits and vegetables and to combat childhood obesity.

But given an economy that rivals The Great Depression, skyrocketing unemployment rates, a controversial war in Afghanistan, a failing automotive industry, a housing and mortgage crisis, and a foiled terrorist attack on Christmas Day, some are wondering if the stress of the past 365 days has taken its weighty or rather weight loss toll on the president.

Not so, say his aides and those close to him. Despite the unfathomable amount of responsibility and issues the president has facing him every day, he remains the same weight, save five pounds in either direction, for the past 17 years. In addition, while he may have sprouted a few extra gray hairs this past year, he eats breakfast with his daughters, 11-year-old Malia and 8-year-old Sasha, every morning; that is of course, if he is not accepting a Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo or negotiating a climate change treaty in Copenhagen.

Yet in our media and body obsessed culture, it’s no wonder that the president’s physique has received its time in the limelight, just as his wife Michelle’s buff arms have become the envy of women all around the world. And given the rates of being overweight and obese in this country, President Obama, with his sleek and lean stature, is kind of an outlier.

While it is important that we have a healthy role model in our president, stress is one of the biggest factors in uninentional weight loss. A harried mind and a frenzied schedule opens up the door to missed meals and loss of appetite. Let’s just hope that the president continues to surround himself with the same self-caring health behaviors as he has in the past and with the right people who are making sure that in between signing treaties and thwarting terrorists, President Obama is served a bowl of his favorite chili and greets the day with an essential and energizing workout.

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Has President Obama’s First Year Taken Its Toll on His Health?

By definition, overweight is having a BMI over 25, and obesity is having a BMI over 30. (If you are unsure of how to calculate yours, there’s a great BMI calculator here at DietsInReview.com.) Why are these numbers so alarming? Being overweight increases your chances of declining health. Even President Obama is catching on to this trend, as he said in a recent town hall address, “If we can help somebody control obesity, they are less likely to get diabetes…which will help keep health care costs down.”

Being overweight increases your chances of many obesity related diseases like heart disease, thyroid malfunction, stroke, diabetes, and the list goes on and on. And it’s really a downward spiral; being heavy means that it’s more difficult to exercise, which only increases your chances of gaining more weight, which makes it even MORE difficult to exercise, and bam! You have an entire set of complications staring you in the face.

If you lose some weight, those health complications can be more easily managed; but it’s not as easy as it sounds. It is MUCH more work to get out there and start walking than it is to sit on the couch and watch television. Trust me, I know. Do it for your family, do it for yourself, do it for whatever – but if you are overweight, even losing a few pounds will help you in the long run.

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Why is Fat the New Norm?

Obama selects Margaret Hamburg to head FDA.

So, Obama has announced the nomination of former New York City Health Commissioner Margaret Hamburg as FDA commissioner. He’s also selected Baltimore Health Commissioner Joshua Sharfstein as her deputy. The president believes that the food safety system in the U.S. is a “hazard to public health,” and is in bad need of revision.

Obama cited a string of food safety problems in recent years. Some examples include contaminated spinach in 2006, salmonella in peppers and possibly tomatoes last year; and this year, a massive salmonella outbreak in peanut products which sickened more than 600 people and is suspected of causing nine deaths.

The peanut recall was one of the largest in U.S. history, and food contamination cases have tripled since the ’90s.

Underfunding and understaffing at the FDA has left the agency unable to conduct annual inspections at nearly enough of the 150,000 food processing plants and warehouses in the country.

Hamburg’s appointment requires Senate confirmation, while Sharfstein does not.

(via: USA Today)

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Obama Appoints New Leadership at FDA

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Barack Obama is Too Skinny

There’s the economy, two wars, precarious relations with Iran and Pakistan. And there’s this: who is going to be cooking the meals in the White House next year?

I know, it’s a pressing issue that will be a defining moment in Obama’s first term. So, who is in the running?

The New York Daily News reported last weekend that there are three chefs under consideration for the Obamas’ White House chef. They are former Oprah chef Art Smith, authentic Mexican chef Rick Bayless (not sure who has the corner on inauthentic chef), and NBA star Carmelo Anthony’s personal chef, Daniel Young.

Since this report, Rick Bayless has denied the rumors. So who could it be? Check out this video report on the role of the White House chef:

Obama could be a contender for the job. Check out his personal chili recipe.

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Obama’s Contenders for White House Chef

Basketball is an incredibly beneficial workout, and one that isn’t monotonous or boring. You can engage with a friend or a group of people and walk away having had a fun and physically demanding workout. A man of Obama’s size (180 pounds), can burn 669 calories during 60 minutes of half-court basketball.

Maybe he will get that indoor basketball court at the White House he’s been wishing for.

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Obama’s Election Day Workout

Barack Obama did not provide a full medical report, but did publish a doctor’s note, which indicated he is in “excellent health and ready to serve as president.” Likely contributed to his lean diet and active lifestyle. A note was included that he has previously used Nicorette to overcome his smoking addiction. A physical in 2007 showed that he has a lean/musclar build and “no excess body fat.” His blood pressure and cholesterol both appear to be in an “optimal” range.

Medical records released for John McCain include a note by his doctor that he is in “excellent health.” The records indicate the 72-year old Senator has had several instances of malignant melanoma, and surgeries to correct, during the past 15 years; one of which was this year. His records also show a history of kidney cysts, bladder stones and precancerous colon polyps. Due to substantial injuries sustained during his time in the Vietnam War as a POW, he has limited mobility in his arms. There are no reports on his physical fitness, but we do know that John McCain’s diet avoids vegetables and that he prefers Mexican food and pizza.

Sarah Palin has yet to share her medical records, or a report on her health. Reports have shown that Palin is very active, a dedicated runner and that she consumes a relatively healthy diet.

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Presidential Candidates and Running Mates in Good Health

Knowing that the Democratic candidate prefers a lean, nutritious diet and is very physically fit, it’s hard to imagine him chowing down on one of these burgers. The nutrition facts are astonishing: 1246 calories, 88.5g fat, 260mg cholesterol, 1340mg sodium, 53.6g carbs, 2.1g fiber, 4.7g sugar, 60.6g protein, not to mention nearly 32 WW Points. Whoa! That’s nearly two double Quarter Pounders with cheese from McDonald’s.

We’re certainly not condoning this as a “healthy” recipe. It sounds delicious, and the novelty of a Barack Obama burger could certainly be a fun entree at an election watch party. So we have some suggestions to reduce the fat and calories in this, or any burger.

1. Don’t use the garlic butter sauce. Instead, season the beef with the garlic, parsley, salt, pepper and vinegar. Without the butter, you’ll save 135 calories and 15 grams of fat per burger.

2. Use non-fat mozzarella instead of whole milk mozzarella. You’ll save 86 calories/burger. Or, skip the cheese completely and save 170 calories/burger.

3. Use a 6 oz. ground turkey patty instead of 8 oz. angus beef, you’ll save 266 calories and 35.2 grams of fat per burger.

4. Use a 6 oz. lean angus beef like La Cense, and you’ll save 376 calories and 39.6 grams of fat per burger.

5. Use a grilled 8 oz. portobello mushroom instead of the beef, you’ll cut 586 calories and 98 percent of the fat in each burger.

Get the Barack Obama Pizza Burger Recipe.

More interested in a Republican recipe? Check out the John McCain Chicken Queso Burger recipe.

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Barack Obama Pizza Burger Recipe