I think the Mediterranean diet would be worth adopting for the sheer pleasure of it, and the health benefits are just another great reason to go Mediterranean.

Epidemic obesity and chronic disease is, like a perfect storm, the product of massive and protean forces. It is an emergency in slow motion, but an emergency just the same. Like any other storm, these threats call for a brisk and well-coordinated crisis response that has yet to materialize fully.

You are the most important member of your medical team. Ask your physician for a copy of your lab work. Learn about the important lab values and track them each visit. Your doctor should welcome such active participation.

What do you think is going to lead more students to the salad bar: telling them that most of their friends eat salad, or stating that eating salad is good for you?

Politicians eager to raise more revenue for dwindling coffers caused in part by higher medical costs associated with obesity are now pigging out on the idea of implementing a "fat tax" of high caloric, sugary and fatty foods to curb American's unhealthy appetites.

Chris Christie's weight doesn't have to be a discussion about presidential fitness, fame-seeking physicians, or snarky late night TV hosts. But it should initiate a dialogue about the literal, physical health of the nation, and Governor Christie would do well by starting it.

Yes, in rare circumstances we can point to a few obese individuals who do not appear to be at increased risk for heart disease; few things are absolute with biology. But that should offer no consolation to Gov. Christie or anyone else carrying excess weight.

I do this all the time, explain away a person's appearance and actions. I try really hard to give people the benefit of the doubt when they snap at their kids in public, cut me off in traffic, refuse to give up their seat to an old person on the train.

Despite the gravity of the situation, I am not convinced that the task of informing our society about our childhood obesity crisis should be placed on the shoulders of two 13-year-olds and a 16-year-old, especially with millions watching their personal weight-loss experiences each week.

I don't want to be a statistic any longer. I don't want to be a "baby boomer" that is living longer but sicker than my parents. I don't want the illnesses that can be prevented by simply moving more and eating right.

For many women, one question that comes up every so often is whether contraception is making weight management harder. As a woman trying to figure out what is best for your body, it can be challenging to sort out reality from hype or haze.