[...] several critics are far more concerned with Michelle Obama

[...] several critics are far more concerned with Michelle Obama

[...] will be traumatized by the public discussion of their weight.  Some even go so far as to say that public scrutiny of their weight may lead to future eating disorders.  But such misdirection merely suppresses open debate and frames obesity as a personal problem [...]

[...] Jeanne Sager has had some choice things to say about the First Lady’s decision to use her own kids as poster children for this cause. I’ll let her comments stand on their own. [...]

[...] Larry indulged the first lady for the first few minutes and they chatted about the program, it’s goals, the new task force and  the $10 billion price tag to overhaul the calorie-laden and nutrient-deficient food being fed 29 million kids in our schools across America.  It’s a very impressive and audacious plan.   But then he charged in and asked Michelle to comment on this latest hot topic – how she felt about the criticism being hurled at her, did she feel it was justified, should she talk about her kids’ brush with  fat? [...]

Hmmm… Michelle is only fat according to Caucasian-American standards where anything over 100lb is considered fat. Get over yourself.

Wow, the comments above make me wonder what lengths a person will go to in wanting attention drawn to their blog. First of all we African Americans typically don’t deal with eating disorders the way our (especially) Caucasian sisters do. White women/girls of all ages are always dealing with their hair, skin color (tanning), constant dieting, etc. I’m sooo very fortunate that I was born an African-American woman! I love my skin, hair, weight, etc. It amazes me how White Folks are so accustomed to lying and being lied to, when someone like our first Lady Michelle Obama is transparent, open and honest White folks want to all become Psychs. Trust me Malia and Sasha won’t have any problem with eating disorders, WHY? They both know that their Mom & Dad love them UNCONDITINALLY! So here we go again with White Folks sittin around talkin bout US and they have no idea how to even relate to US. Besides were not the race that have to constantly be reminded with images of us plastered upon mags, newspapers, tv, etc. We Say IT LOUD, I’M BLACK & I’M PROUD!!!!!!

Comments
Blown completely out of context. This is just another way to get notice by taking something so petty and turning it into a top news header. If we pay attention to our own genetics and stop categorizing and treating folks like they are crossword puzzle (Figuring folks Out) we would have a more confident and at ease society. Too much time on your hands. Exert that energy to Haiti and figure out what we could do as a fat, skinny, tall, short and multi-racial nation to provide the essential help that’s needed.

Why don’t you all mind your families – you are always quick to criticise others, finding things wrong with your neighbour. While you are busying your bodies in others’ businesses, your families are falling apart! This country has the highest rate of illnesses (compared to the UK, Canada or Australia, were people exercise and eat healthier – yes, even children), doctors and pharmaceutical companies are making a killing off you. Here, you see 12 yr old kids looking like they are 16/17 yr olds. Obviously, there’s a well-meaning, concerned parent like Michelle Obama genuinely concerned for the health of her children and others and once again, here comes the misguided critical eyes who don’t have a clue what their own children are up to.Here’s a tip: MIND YOUR BUSINESS and not other peoples’

“On the brink of teenagehood, Malia Obama is at an especially precarious position. With a naturally changing body, the idea that she has to face the world debating her fat puts her at higher risk for an eating disorder.”
If you honestly think that commenting on her weight puts Malia Obama at risk for an eating disorder and are concerned about her, then why are YOU writing about it? If the danger is in the world “debating” the girl’s weight, then perhaps the responsible thing for you to do would be to not add fuel to the fire. Mrs. Obama was just trying to show that everybody has to make efforts to lead a healthy life. Stop trying to create problems so that you’ll have something to write about.

Comments She like most parents, mothers in particular, tend to talk about our experiences with our children. It seems that she damned if she do and damned if she doesn’t. Look around there is a problem in our nation at extremes, obesity and anorexia. Who better to help fight the problem than the first family. It amazes me how the first family gets so much criticism for try to do right, but others don’t. I am proud that Michelle Obama is our first lady. She represents both the working moms and the stay at home mom. She is the Proverbs 31 women. My daughter has always been in the high percentile and as I have become more aware of my eating habits I am education her. Thanks First Lady for being a good role model for mothers and women across the world.

If it is the first lady your idiot comment went to then I think you have to re-think of how to use that word.I dont know where you grew up from but I feel you need to select nice words better than idiot to make you views more understandable.You sound more like an idiot in this case and only idiots like you make comments like that online.Learn to respect people and you will be respected.It will take years to get to where the first lady is today so learn to respect here and comment your views in a wise manner.

Your article is another example of people injecting their own problems and issues into something that would otherwise be a positive news story. The fact that this is being made an issue has more potential to be damaging to the Obama children. If you actually cared about their well-being, you would not publish articles like this. Doing so indicates your personal agenda takes precedence over all else.

I’m not going to say Michelle Obama has a “large a$$” as someone else put it (and you can’t tell, really, from that person’s comments whether they’re black *or* white), but she it not really that *thin* herself. She’s not overweight, either, but neither is she thin. I think that yes, she should be focused on her daughters’ nutrition and exercise level, especially when living a (posh White House) lifestyle that could encourage major couch potato-age if left to do so. So she is wise to step in, but I don’t think ‘diet’ is the right word – at least not in the weight loss sense of the word. Every photo i’ve seen of her girls reveals that they are skinny, or maybe ‘normal’ in appearance, at the very least. The younger daughter might seem chubby to them, but I’m betting once she hits a growth spurt she will grow into her own body, just like millions of other girls like her.

I think the pediatrician is the one who should be coming under scrutiny – some blow it way out of proportion and freak out for no reason about weight. Still others don’t make an issue out of it like they should. It seems like you can’t find a happy medium.

Comments

RIDICULOUS! Get a grip don’t have better things to worry about! She is right and she SHOULD be concerned about her girls’ health and well being! Criticize me and average mom, as I have taken away sweets, pop, I make my daughter exercise! AND WHY? Because she deserves a healthy life…GET OVER IT! and stop picking!

Comments Don’t you have something other than talk about the obamas. Find you a job.

I am a mother and Michelle Obama is a mother. Moms talk about these things all the time, what our kids are eating, how they are doing… she is just talking to people in a way they can relate to! What I think is sick is acting as if she is setting her daughters up for an eating disorder by even SAYING that once, a while ago, their family doctor told her that her children needed to lose weight. TALKING about health issues – especially sensitive ones like weight is a good thing! It gets it out in the open, makes it less scary for people to think about. Hiding and treating food as something shameful is what LEADS to eating disorders,not honest, frank conversation. If her daughters were overweight at one time, they are now excellent examples of girls whose mother paid attention to what the doctor was saying and took practical steps to make her family healthier- if anything, the Obama girls are a great example to other families that even if your child is overweight, you can correct it and teach them a healthier lifestyle. I think people who have their own food issues need to back off and take a good look at themselves, before criticizing. Obviously that sort of criticism is not in the Obama girls’ best interests, but you don’t seem to care about that, do you??

Ms. Sager, you are a sad excuse for a journalist. I hope this attempted ‘career move’ to take a stab at the first lady while furthering your own career goes down in flames. The ONLY way these comments hurt the President’s children is if some over zealous “journalist” tries to make a big deal about it so they can further their pathetic career. but hang in there Ms. Sager, I’m sure the National Enquirer or Weekly World News will have a spot open for someone as ‘talented’ as you.

Parent to Parent. I am the father of nine children, and of all nine I have atleast 4 that are heavyset. With the exception of my 75 pound 9 year old, none of them weigh less than 160 pounds. My wife and I stay concerned about his health. To maintain a healthy mind and body, certain guidelines must be laid out and followed to the letter even for grownups. And until he’s old enough to decide for himself, I’ll make sure he eats properly and gets enough exercise to keep his physical shape and health as it should be. Junk and fast food without a healthy diet result in illness of various kinds. I therefore applaud Mrs Obama for doing the right thing. As for those who beg to differ are concerned I say; before you abuse, critisize and accuse, “Walk a mile in her shoes”!

CommentsMothers control 90% of the family meals in the house, she has a responsibility to her family(daughters)for the best diet possible.
One minute we say fight obesity when we do then its an eating disorders ( Go Michelle!)

Comments i feel really sorry for white women and white girls most of you do not have a degree.the only thing your worried about is blonde hair and botox, while the first lady, made a statement about what is going on in the United states, and you small minded people can only see yourself, the first lady statement makes her Human.please everyone view House Wife’s of Orange County California,and you will see what i am speaking about, please lord help the united states.final note Where are the white people at USC, I SEE 100?

The fact that you read everything through “eating disorder glasses” indicates that you have the problem, not the First Lady. While you may not appreciate her public comment about her pediatrician’s guidance on her daughters’ weight, accusing her of “opening up the medical files to public scrutiny” is extreme and indicative of your distorted view. FYI, privacy laws apply to disclosure by providers, not patients. I hardly think you need “worry” for the girls’ physical and mental well-being. Both the President and First Lady are exemplary role models with regard to health and physical fitness with the exception of his smoking. The pediatrician’s professional guidance clearly trumps any opinions you and other critics have to offer. The Obama family is well aware that everything they say and do is subject to intense scrutiny and criticism. Try taking off your glasses and relaxing a little.

Comments Lady, please find something to do. Michelle Obama has not caused irreversible harm to her children for discussing their weight. You are making something out of nothing. It what you said is true, then you discussing what she said is making it worse. I know your culture is so accustomed to keeping everything quiet and hidden -even from yourself-, but everyone is not like that. Leave her alone and go save a WHALE or something.

I am so sick of people like Jeanne. This is what is wrong with America. Someone tries to step up and lead by showing that it is an issue that must be dealt with no matter what your socio-economic status is and then the peanut gallery comes along and has to write articles like this. Disgusting!

i doubt these girls were ever “fat” enough to be of much concern. michelle should stay out of the spotlight.

michelle’s not fat, she’s perfectly fit with some junk in the trunk.

Wow, people are really fired up about this. I can see both sides of the story here, but I think everyone is blowing this way out of proportion. Having recovered from an eating disorder myself (and no, I’m not a botoxed blonde with no degree TERRI you’re a moron) I understand where the blogger is coming from. I had a coach tell me in high school that I was chubby. He put me on a diet that very quickly spiraled out of control. It spiraled out of control because my parents encouraged it, but never discussed it with me other than to say “you shouldn’t be chubby, so follow his rules.” From my perspective, I think that Michelle is wise in talking about her own family’s struggles. I just hope she is equally as wise in talking to her girls about all of the media coverage and what it means so that they don’t beat themselves up over it. That’s all.

First of all, Terri, I don’t understand why you are so angry. You sound young to me.

For everyone else who is capable of a having a rationale conversation, conservative estimates have found that approximately 5-10% of women suffer from an eating disorder at some point in there lives. Here are some other stats regarding the prevalence of eating disorders in the US.

Up to 10 million females and 1 million males struggle with eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia. Binge eating disorder is experienced by millions more.

Up to 80 percent of women exhibit signs of an eating disorder at some stage.

An estimated 19 to 30 percent of college females are diagnosed with an eating disorder.

Between 1 and 5 percent of adolescent women meet the criteria for an eating disorder diagnosis.

Citation: Journal of Treatment and Prevention, U.S. National Statistics.

And this just scratches the surface of the data available.

Look, Im not saying that Michelle is wrong in doing what she is doing. I think she delivers an important message. I’m just saying that eating disorders and body image problems are more prevalent than most people think and they shouldn’t be disregarded just because you haven’t seen it in your own backyard or its not a problem in your own culture, ethnicity, sex, etc. I hope parents can talk to their kids about healthy eating, exercise and positive body image all together.

Sasha looks pretty hefty in the recent photos I saw of the family visiting New Orleans. Yes Michelle should be concerned and NO she should not have brought it up in public. My god how do you think Sasha feels knowing that the whole world knows she is overweight.