Obese Surgeon General Good or bad?

[IDrinkaRum]

Should we be impressed with President Obama's pick for Surgeon General or should we kick her to the curb because she's not skinny?

Article brings up C. Everett Koop who wasn't exactly skinny. Are her critics who are saying that because there is an obesity problem already, we shouldn't have an obese Surgeon General, only caring because she's a female?

[Flyndaran]

That may be the starting ulterior motive, but the idea is still a valid one.
Would you take health advice from a chain smoking doctor?

[BroomJockey]

Would you take health advice from a chain smoking doctor?

Sure. As long as they're not smoking while I'm in the room. As long as they've passed med. school, I don't see how any of that affects their knowledge.

[violetyoshi]

Should we be impressed with President Obama's pick for Surgeon General or should we kick her to the curb because she's not skinny?

Article brings up C. Everett Koop who wasn't exactly skinny. Are her critics who are saying that because there is an obesity problem already, we shouldn't have an obese Surgeon General, only caring because she's a female?

C. Everett Koop initiated the Obesity Epidemic in 1996. I think the real issue here, is that we have a obese surgeon general, who is not bowing into the pressure to be apologetic for being fat. That they're also not buying into the Obesity Hysteria. Alot of diet pill shillers and people who own diet companies won't be happy with that.

[blas87]

See, if I had an overweight doctor, if he/she started ragging on me about my diet or exercise (when I'm clearly at a very healthy weight and exercise quite often) I wouldn't listen to a word he or she said.

Now....as far as Surgeon General....well, they are the ones who put those warnings on the sides of cigarette packs. I don't think it'd be the best thing ever to snap a photo of the surgeon general having a smoke.

[AFPheonix]

C. Everett Koop initiated the Obesity Epidemic in 1996. I think the real issue here, is that we have a obese surgeon general, who is not bowing into the pressure to be apologetic for being fat. That they're also not buying into the Obesity Hysteria. Alot of diet pill shillers and people who own diet companies won't be happy with that.

Considering the mission statement for her clinic is "Our mission is to provide primary health care to people of any age regardless of their financial situation. Our patient’s health and emotional well being are first and foremost in our office. We emphasize preventive health and patient responsibility.",
I suspect that she advocates for healthy eating to prevent or lessen the extent of the comorbidities of obesity. I strongly suspect she's not going to be a FA advocate.

She's a wonderful woman, it doesn't matter what size she is. Considering where she's been and what she's done, she can be a powerful voice for the underserved in our health care system, and that's all that really matters.

[AdminAssistant]

She's a wonderful woman, it doesn't matter what size she is. Considering where she's been and what she's done, she can be a powerful voice for the underserved in our health care system, and that's all that really matters.

Exactly. After all, one of Obama's main missions is affordable health care for all, so he's going to pick someone who agrees with him on that front. And, after looking up a picture of her, she's hardly morbidly obese.

[violetyoshi]

Considering the mission statement for her clinic is "Our mission is to provide primary health care to people of any age regardless of their financial situation. Our patient’s health and emotional well being are first and foremost in our office. We emphasize preventive health and patient responsibility.",
I suspect that she advocates for healthy eating to prevent or lessen the extent of the comorbidities of obesity. I strongly suspect she's not going to be a FA advocate.

She's a wonderful woman, it doesn't matter what size she is. Considering where she's been and what she's done, she can be a powerful voice for the underserved in our health care system, and that's all that really matters.

You only see it that way, because you unlike the FA community, associate health with body size.

[Boozy]

Would you take health advice from a chain smoking doctor?

I would, yes. Losing weight and quitting smoking are difficult things to do, and they are personal choices. Someone may be overweight and smoke and still know that it is bad for them.

Besides, who understands the health concerns of an overweight nation more than someone who also struggles with that issue?

[tabbyblack13]

I am wondering if the weight issue is because she is a female. I looked and it appears that previous Surgeon Generals varied in sizes. She wouldn't be the first "obese" (making a observation from pictures) Surgeon General.

[AdminAssistant]

I am wondering if the weight issue is because she is a female.

Probably. I mean, in pop culture, Kevin James is perfectly acceptable, but Kirstie Alley is a person to be openly ridiculed.

[Cat]

If she is qualified for the job, than that's all I care about.

[AFPheonix]

You only see it that way, because you unlike the FA community, associate health with body size.

After a certain sized is reached, it most certainly can impede health and be, well, fatal.
But then, that's a topic for another thread.

[Flyndaran]

Exactly. After all, one of Obama's main missions is affordable health care for all, so he's going to pick someone who agrees with him on that front. And, after looking up a picture of her, she's hardly morbidly obese.

From the pictures I've seen, she looks morbidly obese. She's not one of those people that should have a new word to describe them as someone more than morbidly obese. But she's still morbidly obese.

I would, yes. Losing weight and quitting smoking are difficult things to do, and they are personal choices. Someone may be overweight and smoke and still know that it is bad for them.

Besides, who understands the health concerns of an overweight nation more than someone who also struggles with that issue?

Would you really accept advice on how to get out of the house and socialize from me? It would be hypocritical, and who likes hypocrits?

I am wondering if the weight issue is because she is a female. I looked and it appears that previous Surgeon Generals varied in sizes. She wouldn't be the first "obese" (making a observation from pictures) Surgeon General.

Again, that might what brought it to the forefront, but that doesn't invalidate the point.

Probably. I mean, in pop culture, Kevin James is perfectly acceptable, but Kirstie Alley is a person to be openly ridiculed.

Kevin James makes himself the butt of jokes too often to do it for him. Kirstie Alley is different because she used to be a major hottie. Rapid ballooning is always up for joking about. Also the really really huge men tend to do too often to make fun of.... John Candy, Jim Belushi, Chris Farley, etc. Who wants a monologue to premiere right as your punchline guy drops dead from a massive heart attack?

[violetyoshi]

Kevin James makes himself the butt of jokes too often to do it for him. Kirstie Alley is different because she used to be a major hottie. Rapid ballooning is always up for joking about. Also the really really huge men tend to do too often to make fun of.... John Candy, Jim Belushi, Chris Farley, etc. Who wants a monologue to premiere right as your punchline guy drops dead from a massive heart attack?

And everyone knows thin people never die suddenly.