house call with dr. sanjay gupta

Return the transcript home page phone with the doctor
Obesity problem;
Clinton described his personal struggle with childhood obesity;
Breastfeeding may reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in mothers in November 26, 2005
ETTHIS is a hurried transcript.
This copy may not be in final form and may be updated.
Betty NGUYEN, cnn anchor: Here\'s what happened in the news.
At least 12 people were killed and 5 injured nearly 400.
Earlier today, a magnitude 5 earthquake struck eastern China.
You\'re looking at pictures of destruction.
The area where the earthquake occurred now is mainly in rural areas, where the housing structure is not sound.
More than 8,000 houses have collapsed so far.
29,000 damaged.
There is no doubt that many of you are packing electronics and other items that you had to fight for yesterday or.
To a large extent, people mind their manners.
To a large extent.
But not so much in some stores. Look at that.
This is a crazy house.
A day after Thanksgiving promotion or Black Friday is one of the biggest shopping events of the year.
Retailers want holiday sales to keep them low-key.
In today\'s home phone,
Sanjay Gupta held talks with former President Bill Clinton on fighting childhood obesity.
This is the biggest move since Clinton left office.
I\'m Betty Nguyen from CNN world headquarters in Atlanta.
The most important thing is that we have more news.
Start calling now \". DR.
Sanjay Gupta, cnn senior medical correspondent: Good morning.
Welcome to the special edition of house call. I\'m Dr. Sanjay Gupta.
Our guest today is former President Clinton, who is talking about the growing prevalence of childhood obesity.
Experts warn that children and adolescents today are in danger.
In fact, they may be the first generation to live shorter than their parents. Remarkable.
This is not because of an incurable disease, but because overweight and obesity are very preventable.
Every weekend, house call spends more time covering the problems and solutions of childhood obesity.
We call it the start, health program. (Start Video)GUPTA (voice-over)
Deanna Glen (ph)
She said the gradual increase in weight allowed her to start acting and was not considered obese.
We visited this YMCA project and noticed more about its rise, encouraging children to exercise and learn about nutrition.
Officials told us that we are under epidemic control as our children gain weight.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, about 15% of our children are now considered obese. And the U. S.
Surgeons say overweight children are 70 to 80% more likely to stay in this state or become obese when they grow up.
Type 2 diabetes was rare in children in the past. Not anymore. DR.
Eric felner of Emory University: today maybe 67% is type 1 and 33% is type 2.
We know that the increase in type 2 diabetes is directly related to weight gain.
Gupta: we also see more cancer and heart disease associated with obesity. DR.
William dietz from CDC: if we cannot successfully prevent obesity, we will pay for the complications of this disease in the next 30 or 40 years.
Gupta: as this once obese girl knows, the social stigma of being overweight can be cruel.
Mal mahedy, lost 130 pounds: it made me laugh every day.
I ended up dropping out.
Gupta: It is well known that it is easy to talk about giving up unhealthy behavior and staying motivated, but it is difficult to do it, especially in the land of abundance. (END VIDEOTAPE)
Gupta: Over the past 30 years, obesity rates have soared in children, double or even triple in some cases.
Now former US president Bill Clinton has made the issue a top priority for the United States, joining forces with the American Heart Association to fight childhood obesity.
Thank you very much, President Clinton.
First of all, let\'s ask, do people want to know how you feel?
Bill Clinton, former president of the United States: I did a good job.
I think I have recovered completely.
I recovered again-
Time work activities.
I\'m playing golf and doing everything I did before.
You look great.
You look good too.
CLINTON: Thank you.
Obviously, there is a link.
Between your own diet and subsequent heart problems, you have talked about this.
Talk about this.
Are you overweight as a child, as a teenager?
Clinton: Yes.
I\'m overweight.
You know, I\'m probably the last generation of Americans, and it\'s generally believed that fat babies are healthy babies.
Until I was 4 years old, I lived with my grandparents.
After my father\'s death, my mother returned to the nursing school.
They stuffed me.
And so I was --
Throughout the school I always struggle with my weight.
Although I had done it well when I graduated from high school.
I am 6\'1\' and weigh 192 pounds when I graduated from high school.
This is how I am now.
Gupta: How bad is it?
I mean, obviously, you already talked about this. . .
Oh, I\'m--
At the age of 13, I was 5\'8\' and weighed 185 pounds.
Gupta: right?
CLINTON: Yes.
GUPTA: What\'s the worst meal?
Do you remember the worst meal you ever had or the worst type of food you ever had?
No, I ate it, but I ate a lot of high fat stuff. -
I ate a lot.
I just didn\'t think about it, you know.
I don\'t exercise very often.
But what is happening to me now is happening systematically to the younger generation.
First of all, food is still very cost-effective in the United States.
There are also many families who go to work. they don\'t have much time to go to work. they don\'t have time to prepare food at home. They also spend a lot of money on housing. in transportation and other aspects, health care.
They know that in terms of bulk, they can get high dollar value with food.
Many of the foods purchased, especially in restaurants and fast food restaurants, are higher in fat and sugar than they were 20 years ago and in larger portions.
I understand why this is happening, but the bottom line is that we have too many children.
They\'re walking time bombs.
They get diabetes too early.
They have cardiovascular problems.
The system is really under pressure.
GUPTA: Mm-hmm.
Is your personal background what interests you most about childhood obesity?
I mean, you can do a lot of things as a former president?
CLINTON: Well, when I-
First of all, when I have a heart problem, the heart association treats me as the most famous heart patient in the United States recently.
GUPTA: Right.
Clinton: I think I should do something for health care, but I told them I wanted to think about it.
I solved the obesity of this child, not only because I got it, because I was a heavy child, but because I was really worried about it.
I mean, the interest rate is too high.
We have never had a statistically significant adult child with diabetes before.
A study by the University of Emory shows that obesity alone has accounted for 25% of the increase in health costs over the past 15 years.
So I think it\'s an opportunity that I can save the lives of most people, do the best, and do something that they understand from my own experience.
Gupta: Do you think this is a problem that can be solved?
Clinton: of course. It is.
But I think more than one is a problem.
I think, if I can say very briefly, I think first of all, we really need to help restaurants and fast food restaurants provide more heart health food, then reduce the trans fat and sugar content they prepare for all foods.
Secondly, we need to improve the quality of the school lunch.
Third, we either take out the vending machine from the school or take out the bad things from the vending machine.
Fourth, we need more awareness from parents.
In order to eat healthily, we need the exercise of young people.
When I announced the project with the governor of Arkansas and the Harlem heart association, we did it at a school with all the fresh fruits and vegetables, where the children wrote me articles. Six and 7-year-
The older child wrote me about the importance of a healthy diet.
So we can do that.
Gupta: We will discuss these projects specifically.
Now, as the House continues to call, President Clinton will ask more questions.
Also, he will answer your question after the break. (
Business break)
We are back with President Clinton.
Childhood obesity is his topic and his biggest initiative in China.
I want to be very specific here because I have looked into some of the things you said.
Creating a generation of student leaders, challenging the catering industry to do better, and also looking at vending machines and school lunches are all very important things.
Some of our viewers have some questions about it.
James in Florida has this problem.
\"What would you recommend to state councillors and governors to fight childhood obesity? \" And Mr.
President, I mean, is this personal responsibility?
Or is this a legal system that the government should be involved in?
CLINTON: Both.
The first is the legislators and governors, who are involved because they provide most of the money for the school.
So the first thing I asked them to do was look at the school and set some standards for the school\'s meals.
Set some standards for schools to contract to companies.
Do they have fresh fruits and vegetables?
Do they have all kinds of vegetables?
Almost half of people under the age of 20 spend their vegetables on potatoes.
Of course they can do something about the vending machine.
They should either take them out of primary school or take the bad stuff out of the vending machine.
So I think this is the first thing.
They can have more sports.
So these are political issues.
The governors can then, as we do, negotiate and cooperate with the diet agencies to respond voluntarily.
Gupta: Is there a way to give it more teeth?
I mean, look. . .
Clinton: If you look
Yes, if you look at what Governor Schwarzenegger has done in California with California\'s legislature, bipartisan, Democratic legislature, and republican government, or what Governor Huckabee did in Arkansas, the Republican governor, they made some changes at school lunch.
They modified the procedure of the vending machine. They\'ve --
Things that directly control educational institutions, they have begun to change.
So you can do that.
But I also believe that most of these big companies want to do the right thing if they can figure out how to do it without losing a lot of money. There --Pepsi Co.
Made a lot of money last year from the choice of healthy food.
I also think it\'s important to talk about this.
Tell people we don\'t want them to change the world.
If they reduce some calories from the foods these children consume every day, they will make a difference. An 8-year-
An old man who consumes 45 calories less a day, eats a few sweets, takes half of coke less, and 45 calories less, will lose 20 pounds when he or she graduates from high school.
So, we are not talking about fundamental changes in eating habits to achieve fundamental changes in outcomes.
GUPTA: Yes.
OK, let\'s do some news here.
I mean, you\'re the former president of the United States.
Why don\'t you go to the fast food industry, go to McDonald\'s and say, look, what you do hurts us.
In fact, it is killing us.
Will you do that?
Oh, of course.
We have contacted McDonald\'s, other fast food restaurants and many food producers.
They are trying. -
If you look at it, you mention McDonald\'s.
They have greatly increased their purchases of fruits and vegetables.
Thirty years ago, American families ate outside with food they prepared and 30 cents at home, sending 70 cents for every dollar. Now they --
About 50/50.
Eat out 50%.
More than half of them are in fast food restaurants.
Gupta: It\'s amazing.
Clinton: more people are working now.
They have less time to prepare at home.
They need to go to McDonald\'s.
This is a good value for the dollar.
You are very big.
It tastes good for the money you have to spend on it, but from a health care perspective we can\'t sustain it.
For this country, people consume as much fat and sugar as they do, and eating in their way is devastating.
Therefore, the obvious answer is to find a way not only to provide more heart-healthy foods in fast food places, but also to reduce the content of fat and sugar in an all-round way.
So we have to get their help.
We cannot succeed without it.
GUPTA: And then that\'s what you\'re doing.
Now, we are discussing childhood obesity with former President Bill Clinton.
Please keep an eye on more home calls after the break.
Unidentified woman: a president struggling with weight helps you fight for your child\'s health.
With the arrival of the former president, more is.
In addition, the fast and healthy grocery store enters the station. (
Start Video Editing)
Unidentified woman: one of my favorite Frozen Foods is frozen shrimp. (END VIDEO CLIP)
Unidentified women: please keep an eye on more fast and healthy food.
But first, this week\'s medical headlines for pulse. \" (Start Video)
CNN reporter christy feig (voice-over)
: Breastfeeding may reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in mothers.
This is based on a new study by the Journal of the American Medical Association.
\"The researchers studied women who gave birth in the past 15 years.
They found that women\'s risk of developing adult diabetes is reduced by 15% per year of breastfeeding.
According to a new study funded by the Centers for Disease Control, most pregnant women do not get enough exercise.
St researchers
University of Louis found
Pregnant women are more likely to reach national guidelines on moderate and vigorous activities than pregnant women.
According to the American Academy of Obstetrics and Gynecology, pregnant women without medical complications should have at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity per day.
However, the study found that only one of the six pregnant women met the state\'s recommendation.
Christie Figg of CNN(END VIDEOTAPE)(
Business break)
Gupta: Welcome back to the special edition of the door-to-door pair.
We are discussing with former US president Bill Clinton about his new initiatives to combat and prevent childhood obesity. Mr.
Mr. President, you mentioned just now in some Southern states that the proportion of childhood obesity has risen to 25%.
Some say there is a link between obesity and poverty.
What do you think?
CLINTON: Well, I don\'t think there is any problem.
I know this from my own experience.
People with lower income and less disposable income seek ways to get more income from purchases.
They will most likely buy something full of them, but not necessarily good for them.
Gupta: We have email
I think an important email from a teacher in Virginia.
Anu wrote: \"I am a teacher in Washington, D. C. C.
A public school system where obesity is rampant.
Do you think there will be any difference in the health report card?
CLINTON: Well, I think we have to be careful not to make these kids feel ashamed and defensive.
This may make them more reluctant to change.
On the other hand, one of the things that Arkansas did that impressed me was that people from the Health Department walked into the school.
In fact, every child in the school measured his or her body mass index.
They sent a report to their parents with their child\'s body mass index and what they should do if the body mass index is not good, they are too heavy.
If you do, then I think what we should do in terms of reporting is, instead, we should create a positive atmosphere where the school is suitable for its own children, who is healthy, helping others, creating a sport, creating a healthy school, it will be cool to do so, and will not increase the stigma that children may already feel in their subconscious mind.
Because you have one
This is a very delicate thing.
You don\'t want the kids to be in the dark or more places than they are.
You want them to go to a bright place where they can really feel good about themselves.
But I think it would be helpful if parents knew what the body mass index was and knew the consequences of not changing the body mass index.
So, I think it will be positive.
This is an important message.
I hope a lot of parents and children are listening because it\'s from former President Clinton --
One of his biggest domestic plans.
We will talk more about it.
There are more calls after the break. Stay tuned.
Childhood obesity changed our future in 2010.
But first of all, pack your lunch or have a picnic and our \"board group\" comes here with the latest healthy fast food. (Start Video)
Elizabeth cohen, CNN correspondentvoice-over): Thank you.
Don\'t you have time to incorporate a healthy diet into your daily routine? Think again.
Registered dietitian and author Ellie Krieger provides some advice for people out there.
Registered dietitian Ellie Krieger: Your first stop should be the produce area, where you will find more pre-cut food
Option to wash than ever before.
We have vegetables and fruits here. almost everything is for health.
One of my favorite staples in the fridge is frozen shrimp.
It\'s so convenient.
You can make a shrimp cocktail if you have guests.
You can put some shrimp in the tomato sauce.
This is a very simple and convenient way to get some good thin protein.
The tuna in the bag is one of the most convenient ways to get healthy protein during running.
Next stop, dairy.
From separate yogurt to drinkable yogurt to milk that you can carry with you, these are simple ways to get calcium.
Thanks, Ellie.
CNN, Elizabeth Cohen, board group \". (END VIDEOTAPE)(
Business break)(Start Video)
Obesity is a popular disease of this century.
Unidentified Woman: I always told him, don\'t do this, don\'t do that.
Unidentified woman: people who call me \"cupcakes\" are joking.
I just think it\'s funny.
Female: Obesity in children.
Unidentified woman: This is the most painful experience I have ever experienced.
Unidentified women: we will meet young people who are responsible for changing lives.
What can parents do?
The risk of obesity is high.
Male: heart disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer.
Along the way, we will open the door to success stories.
Unidentified male: This is a boy weighing 220 in the past.
What is your weight now?
Unknown man: 138.
Unidentified women: what does it take to lose weight?
Unidentified woman: cooking something really needs to make a plan for it.
Unidentified women: Is part of the distortion the culprit?
Is junk food leaving?
We will travel all over the country to university campuses and take you to places that some people think are the holy places to lose weight.
This place saved my life.
Unidentified women: join the house call every weekend on the front line of a deadly battle ---
Obesity in children
We got the answer and gave us hope.
It\'s time to \"start and get healthy.
If you would like to learn more about childhood obesity, or would like to learn about President Clinton\'s joint initiative, keep an eye on the hearts of Americans. org.
You can sign up for an obesity newsletter and find tips for parents and children to stop weight on its track.
You can also try CDC on www. cdc.
Government/youth movement.
Its verb program can help children and teenagers move. (END VIDEOTAPE)
Gupta: The former president of the United States is our guest today.
The generation of Americans born today may be the first to live shorter than their parents.
Really amazing.
I mean, that\'s what you pointed out.
CLINTON: Yes.
This, I think, will be devastating.
From a human perspective, it will be bad for us, it will be bad for our psychology, and it will be very bad for our economy.
The pressure on the health care system will be enormous.
We have to deal with social insurance.
We have already faced challenges in medical insurance.
If we basically run out of our national resources, it will be difficult for us to maintain our position in the world.
But the most important thing is that this is a human tragedy.
You don\'t want any child to die before they have the opportunity to grow up, get an education, go to work, build a family, and live a fulfilling life.
There is no reason for this to happen.
I absolutely believe that in the early days of obesity, a child, a family, both children and parents did not understand the real consequences of what they did.
I am also very confident that those who do may think, you know, that God has made them fat or that there is nothing they can do about it.
If they have a step-by-step project, there\'s a lot of positive re-
Leaving its law enforcement and more help from school, restaurants and food providers at home, I think they will do better.
Gupta: So, what is the best advice you can give parents today?
The last suggestion?
Clinton: First of all, if you think a child may be overweight, figure out what the body mass index is, and even if your child is not overweight, analyze your child\'s diet.
What does your child eat at home?
What is your child eating outside?
What does your child eat at school?
And find out how to reduce the fat and sugar content and increase the exercise of the child.
But don\'t think a little bit won\'t make a big difference if you\'re just, and remember.
8-45 calories per dayyear-
When you graduate from high school, you can save 20 pounds yuan every day.
So my advice is to know about your child, analyze what your child is eating, and figure out how to reduce the amount of fat and sugar.
You can do it.
It can save the lives of your children and many future of your country.
GUPTA: reduce 45 calories a day and save yourself 20 pounds.
This is a good suggestion.
We promised this on CNN.
I know you too.
I hope we can cooperate on some things in the future.
Thank you very much for your time.
CLINTON: Thank you.
I appreciate it.
Thank you very much.
Gupta: Thanks to everyone at home for watching. I\'m Dr. Sanjay Gupta.
Stay tuned for more news from CNN.
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