Bill Clinton-related stories

President Clinton and Others Discuss Keeping Families Fit and Healthy

by Sara Reistad-Long Oct 12th 2009 12:00PM

Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Celebs & Entertainment, Motivation

Photo: Roger Kisby, Getty Images

This past Saturday, urban families poured into New York's Harlem Children's Zone for the first annual Weight Watchers Fun and Fit in the City, an event geared toward raising awareness of the growing childhood obesity epidemic, as well as showcasing simple at-home solutions for healthful eating (the center was packed with booths, from Whole Foods to the Food Bank for New York City).

Proud Harlem community advocate President Bill Clinton himself kicked off the afternoon's panel discussion by noting that the American Medical Association now says that we can no longer refer to Type 2 diabetes as adult-onset diabetes because so many children today have it. Indeed, 1 in 3 children qualifies as obese. "This is a big, big deal to all of us," he said. "As taxpayers, we put $147 billion a year toward the growing problem. From that standpoint, it affects each of us, even the skinniest person in this room."

The message of the day, however, was positive change, and President Clinton was joined by New York City Council speaker Christine Quinn, who not only talked with pride about how -- thanks to the council's work -- city Greenmarkets are now able to accept food stamps, but also announced a pending bill designed to give people more access to fresh foods by re-zoning certain neighborhoods to make room for more supermarkets.

"Health happens in the small decisions you make every day," said Weight Watchers CEO David Kirchhoff by way of introducing the day's panelists -- Rachael Ray, Mehmet Oz, Allan Houston and moderator Tara Parker-Pope of The New York Times. In that spirit, after the jump, we've included a few key tips and pointers from each speaker for what you can easily do -- today -- to help keep your family exercising and eating healthy.

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Clinton vs. Soda

by Martha Edwards Nov 20th 2007 1:24PM

Celebrities and Entertainment, Celebs & Entertainment

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As we reported a few days ago, former president Bill Clinton is declaring war against obesity. And there's a specific target he's aiming at -- Soda in Schools. Clinton wants sugary soda to be out of schools by 2010. According to this article on Forbes, Clinton met with soda company representatives and medical experts to forge a deal.

Here's what you will be able to get in schools after the change:

In elementary and middle schools: water, unsweetened juice and low-fat milk
In high schools: diet drinks, unsweetened teas, flavored water, and low-calorie sports drinks.

This seems fair, I suppose--It would be ideal if kids would stick to water but that's not very realistic if you ask me. Still, soda companies can continue to profit from schools but supplying them low-cal drinks that are still full of chemicals and lacking in any real nutritional value. And what about those chips in the vending machine -- are they going bye-bye too?

What do you think?

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Former President Clinton calls obesity #1 health crisis in U.S.

by Brian White Nov 17th 2007 10:02AM

Diet & Weight Loss, Celebs & Entertainment

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Former President Bill Clinton called obesity the country's largest health crisis. Obesity has been called that before, but more people listen to a former President than actual medical authorities, so perhaps Clinton will garner some attention on the issue here.

Clinton said the nation could be at risk without immediate action, stating that "We need to do something about it for our children, and for our country, because something like this could easily collapse our nation if we don't act now."

He's right -- although many of us wade around with so much extra weight it stresses our bones, the impending health care crisis needed by millions of unhealthy people could turn into a national tragedy.

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