Nestle's Quick

Nutrition scholar Marion Nestle, noting that celebrity cook Paula Dean's recent announcement of her diabetes diagnosis said nothing about the salutary effects of weight loss, wonders why (and on the same day I sheepishly announced my one-man health care reform -- thanks, Dr. Nestle!):

Being overweight is the key factor in type 2. Most people can prevent it by not gaining weight. And most people with the type 2 disease can eliminate symptoms by losing some weight. Genetics is certainly a factor -- many overweight people never develop the disease -- but 85 percent or more of people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes are overweight or obese.

Since 95% of diabetes is type 2, one begins to discern the vast health- and cost-saving implications of putting down the Fritos.