That's Fit

Be honest. Should Santa slim down? Next thing you know we'll be asking if Santa should get LASIK and lose the spectacles. I realize this whole concept is Grinchy, but the U.S. Surgeon General likes the idea of a jolly thin man.

U.S. Surgeon General Rear Adm. Steven K. Galson said Santa's role model responsibilities to kids are no different than those of healthy NFL players. The Amalgamated Order of Real Bearded Santas concurs with Galson that Santa is too portly, asking their 800 Santas to slim their bowlfuls of jelly before this summer's convention. A survey by Tom Connaghan, founder of the International University of Santa Claus, reports the average weight of 300 Santas was 256 pounds. Unless these Santas are extremely tall, 256 pounds is hardly fit. A spokeswoman for the Massachusetts Department of Public Health says Santa is just fine the way he is, but they suggest families leave him healthier snacks.

Here's my take -- I envision a FitSanta similar in spirit and character to Grizzly Adams, star of The Life and Times with Grizzly Adams television series of the 1970s. He doesn't sport six-pack abs, but his paunch is not so large that he can't fell a tree with an axe in two minutes flat. I wish for a 6'2", 220-pound, fully-bearded Santa capable of running a 5K with a present under each arm in under 30 minutes. As for snacks, I say keep the cookies coming. My Santa is a man of moderation, he'll take just a couple bites to sustain his energy for all-night gift deliveries. Is your ideal Santa fit or fat?

Second-hand smoke is dangerous. According to the U.S. Surgeon General, nonsmokers breathing the haze potentially face a 30 percent increased risk for developing heart disease and lung cancer.

A new study released today bolsters the credibility of indoor smoking bans. It's no joke, the bans are significantly reducing heart attacks. The state of New York had an 8 percent drop in heart attacks after their Clean Indoor Act passed in 2003. Dr. Michael Seigel at Boston University criticized the results, stating the decline in heart attacks could have been happening nationwide -- data needs to be assessed from every state to attribute it to indoor smoking bans.

An earlier study in Helena, Montana found a 40 percent drop in heart attacks after an indoor smoking ban went into effect. Interestingly, heart attack rates returned to previous levels after the ban was lifted. Only 22 states have indoor smoking bans. Smokers -- please stop lighting up indoors!