Barbara Walters: Criticism for Grilling Paula Deen

Barbara Walters clashed with the overly sweet Paula Deen, who appeared on 'The View' last week to promote her new cookbook for children. So much so that some of her fans are asking Barbara to apologize for the way she treated Paula.

Paula Deen's appearance on 'The View' was awkward to say the least. Barbara was all business and statistics while Paula appeared to try to fix the obvious tension with offerings of more food to Barbara and the others on stage. The others gladly accepted the food and eventually Barbara did also, but she had a few things to say about childhood obesity.

A Difference of Opinion... and of Personality

They may have gotten off to a bad start, but the interview did end on a positive note and as a fan of the show, I understand they're just doing what they each do best. According to 'The View' website, "Barbara Walters has arguably interviewed more statesmen and stars than any other journalist in history. She is so well known that her name and a brief biography are listed in the American Heritage Dictionary." Barbara's no nonsense interviews are what made her famous and she didn't get to be who she is by mincing words.

Though quite the opposite of Barbara's public persona, Paula's sugar sweet personality is working for her as well, just in different ways. Paula Deen's Cookbook for the Lunch-Box Set is the name of her new cookbook, which is available on Amazon.com for $14.95. Stating that everyone needs comfort food, she also advocated moderation when confronted by Walters.

Childhood Obesity in Our Country

Barbara, quick to point out that obesity is the number one problem our children face these days, does have a compelling point, regardless of how harshly or abruptly it came across.

Obesity statistics confirm Walters' statements: Childhood obesity is a growing problem in this country. "Nearly one-fifth of American 4-year-olds are obese, and children of color are at higher risk, according to new research," reports Madison Park on CNN.com. Diseases commonly seen in older adults are presenting in 6 and 7 year olds. According to Madison, doctors say that "obese children are developing type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease and musculoskeletal problems, which occur because their bodies can't carry that much weight."

Madison further quotes Rich, Director of the Center on Media and Child Health at Children's Hospital in Boston on how to face this touchy subject. " The first step is for the parents to acknowledge that the child is overweight, instead of making excuses or comparing him or her to heavier children. Many of the parents of obese children are overweight themselves, which makes that acknowledgment difficult."

You'll have to decide for yourself if Barbara's curt ways were called for or if she could have expressed herself in a better way, but you can't argue with the statistics.

References:
http://theview.abc.go.com/

http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/04/07/obesity.preschool.children/index.html

Madison Park, It's not baby fat: Among 4-year-olds, nearly 1 in 5 is obese, CNN, April 7, 2009

http://www.amazon.com/Paula-Deens-Cookbook-Lunch-Box-Set/dp/141698268X