Dr. Julie Gerberding, director of the Centers for Disease Control, recently acknowledged potential flaws in a study that indicated people slightly overweight might be healthier than people who weren't. "It is not OK to be overweight. People need to be fit, they need to have a healthy diet, they need to exercise," she said. "I'm very sorry for the confusion that these scientific discussions have had" (Associated Press report, March 2).

For decades millions of Americans have steadily put on unhealthy weight. Back in 2002, The Guardian reported that 1 in 4 American adults are obese, doubling the rate from 1980.

More young people and working adults have turned to foodless nutrition to accommodate their living in the fast-food lane. To help make fast foods more enjoyable, fast-food chains have added fats, salts and sugars to make them tastier. Their windfall ultimately costs their customers millions in medical bills. The answer remains the same: Eat healthy food, exercise regularly and get enough rest. (Sources: Associated Press, The Guardian [London]).