The Top 42%: Obesity in America
Obesity is back on the front page and will continue to make headlines as the HBO documentary, The Weight of the Nation, airs tonight. The facts are not up for debate: America is getting fatter. The reason for we’re getting fatter, however, is up for debate. Is it inactive kids, video games, our diets, grocery prices, .. read more
There’s Nothing to Fear About Friday the 13th
Chances are you grew up with superstitions about things that bring bad luck—some combination of ladders, sidewalk cracks, black cats and broken mirrors. You may still avoid walking under a ladder or shudder if a black cat crosses your path. One of the bigger fears I had was that something bad was likely to happen .. read more
Beyond Gym Class—Parents Need to Get Kids Moving
As the government and local policy makers do their political dances, we’re sad to say they are probably getting more physical activity than our kids. A recent report stated: Only 22 percent of public elementary school students go to a school that meets the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) standard of 150+ .. read more
Are Doctors Responsible for Containing Health Care Costs?
Employer sponsored health plans seem like a great deal. As an employee, you can get a lot of value out of the plan if you play your cards right…until the bill comes due. The problem is that the different players in the health care game are not incentivized to the greater good of controlling costs. .. read more
Health Reform: Not an Out for Employers
If you think that health reform means that employers will no longer be involved with employee health, think again. Health reform. Just mentioning the term can create emotional tension. Having worked four times on health reform over the course of my career, I think of it as a career “minor.” I’ve thought a lot about .. read more
Weight Loss Surgery: One Teenager’s Story
The recent New York Times article about teenager Shani Gofman’s weight loss surgery made me angry, but it also made me really sad. I’m a doctor. I’m the co-CEO of a company built on the belief that when empowered with education and support people can change. I’m a dad with a daughter. It seems to .. read more
Paula Deen’s Missed Opportunity
The recent announcement that Paula Deen has diabetes has caused quite a stir. There are a lot of folks weighing in on this announcement. Even walking around EHS there are different opinions. The first thing I’ll say is that whether it be pizza, chocolate cake or Southern comfort food, each person chooses to eat what .. read more
Chicago’s Downsize Fitness: A Good Approach?
Chicago’s new concept gym, Downsize Fitness, has struck a chord with me. I take health and well-being very seriously and very personally, and I’m always interested in new approaches to helping people reach their goals. The population this gym is hoping to reach, those with at least 50 pounds to lose, is one I’m very .. read more
SMART New Year’s Resolutions
Here we go. Now is the season for New Year’s resolutions—and traditional New Year’s resolutions are probably one of the biggest barriers to true change. Why? Because most resolutions are: Unrealistic: We tend to set resolutions like “I’m going to stop eating chocolate.” Or “I know I’ve never done it before, but I’m going to .. read more
Is Heavy the New Normal?
Reading this article about the rising percentage of overweight people made me wonder—is being overweight the new normal? I’m curious what other people think. Are we capable of stopping the ever-increasing percentage of people who are overweight or obese? It’s not that I don’t get it. It’s easy to gain weight. I know because I’ve .. read more
