Surgeon general nominee's weight questioned

Some observers may find Morehouse graduate Regina Benjamin poor role model

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By CHRISTIAN BOONE

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Should surgeon general nominee Regina Benjamin be judged on her appearance?

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In this file handout photo provided by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Dr. Regina Benjamin poses for a portrait in the waiting room at her temporary clinic in Bayou La Batre, Ala. Thursday, Sept.18, 2008. The Associated Press has learned that President Barack Obama has chosen Dr. Regina Benjamin, to be the next surgeon general. (AP Photo/The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Bill Starling)

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It might sound absurd, but critics insist their concerns about the Morehouse School of Medicine Trustee’s weight aren’t merely superficial.

“It tends to undermine her credibility,” Dr. Marcia Angell, former editor of The New England Journal of Medicine, said in an interview with ABC News. “I do think at a time when a lot of public health concern is about the national epidemic of obesity, having a surgeon general who is noticeably overweight raises questions in people’s minds.”

Though no one knows for sure, it’s been speculated that Benjamin is about 40 pounds overweight. The 52-year-old Alabama native hasn’t discussed the issue publicly, and registered dietician Carolyn O’Neil said Benjamin’s full figure doesn’t necessarily indicate poor health.

“The number you see on a scale is just one indicator,” O’Neil said. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, which focuses on metabolic health (blood pressure, cholesterol, inflammation and sugar level indicators), found that more than half of “overweight” people are metabolically healthy, compared to one-quarter, or about 16.3 million adults 20 years or older, who are “metabolically abnormal.”

“You can be fit and still be a little fat,” O’Neil said. “Besides, do we want a supermodel as surgeon general?”

But what if Benjamin smoked, for example? Would she even be considered for the post?

“It’s important that she lead by example,” said Julie Schwartz, coordinator of nutrition services at Emory Bariatric Center. “But part of the way she can lead is by acknowledging that no one’s perfect. We all have our struggles.”

And that includes many health care professionals.

“Go to a hospital and look around at the doctors and nurses,” Schwartz said. “Many of them are overweight.” That extends to past surgeon generals, such as Reagan appointee C. Everett Koop, who, while not obese, was far from svelte.

Obesity, defined by a body mass index of 30 or greater, is calculated from a person’s weight and height. According to a recent study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there’s been a dramatic increase in obesity in the U.S. over the past 20 years. The obesity rate in Benjamin’s home state, for example, tops 31 percent.

Schwartz said there is some dispute over BMI, which is not adjusted based on differences in race and culture. And sexism may also be at play in the discussion over Benjamin’s weight.

“Men can get away with being more overweight in our society,” Schwartz said. “We are a size-prejudiced society, especially against women.”

O’Neil said Benjamin’s weight might prove beneficial as she tackles the nation’s ongoing “battle with the bulge.”

“Maybe it’s better that she knows the challenges of weight loss,” she said.

That’s assuming Benjamin considers her weight a problem, as studies have indicated greater cultural tolerance among African Americans for larger women.

Regardless, “the focus should be on Dr. Benjamin’s credentials and accomplishments,” Steven Blair, a professor of exercise science at the University of South Carolina, told ABC. “What difference does her size make?”