BBW, Plus Size, Full Figured, Surgeon General Dr. Regina Benjamin: Is She Too Fat for the Job?

In a weight obsessed culture where eating disorders and obesity are huge problems, is full figured, plus-sized, Surgeon General, Regina Benjamin the right person for the job? Dr. Benjamin can easily be classified as a BBW (big beautiful woman) in today's pop culture terms. Critics estimate Dr. Benjamin is a size 18, and about 40 pounds overweight. Having a Surgeon General, who is noticeably overweight, raises questions in some people's minds about her credibility as a role model of good health.

The job of the Surgeon General simply put, is to protect and advance the health of the nation through educating the public and advocating for effective disease prevention, while promoting the office of Surgeon General as a highly recognized symbol to improve the public health.

The Surgeon General provides leadership in promoting special health initiatives such as smoking and HIV prevention efforts with other government agencies covering critical public health issues facing the nation. This translates to marketing the nation's health programs throughout the country.

Dr.Benjamin won her reputation for excellence by helping the rural poor in Alabama. Her clinic in coastal Alabama treated hundreds of desperate victims of hurricane Katrina. She won the Mac Arthur $500,000 "genius award." She is regarded by many as a brilliant, kind country doctor, who made house calls in order to get to know her patients better in their own surroundings.

Dr. Benjamin, 53, was sworn into office in November 2009. She sees herself as the country's chief health educator but like many other women she is taking grief about her weight. On Good Morning America when asked what she thinks of the criticism that she is too heavy to be a good example to Americans, two thirds of whom are over weight; she replied: "The weight criticism has been very hurtful. Health and being fit is not about a dress size. I'm just like 67%of Americans. I struggle with my weight. I want Americans to help me and I want to help them. We will work together to try to become a healthier nation."

Dr.Benjamin's immediate family, have experienced other preventable health problems besides overweight......lung cancer, HIV, hypertension and diabetes. She sees her familiarity with these health conditions as an advantage rather than a liability. She feels people will relate to her own personal experience with these problems as she works to improve the health of all Americans.

Sources:

St. Pete Times

ww.surgeongeneral.gov

opposingviews.com