Tuesday, March 02, 2010
Obama certified “fit for duty”
From The Hindu
With mixed but overall positive results on his first periodical physical examination as President, Barack Obama was certified as “fit for duty” but cautioned on his consumption of cigarettes, alcohol and junk food.
Dr. Jeff Kuhlman, a Navy Captain and Physician to the President of the United States, recommended in his report that Mr. Obama continue “smoking cessation efforts, a daily exercise program, [and] moderation in alcohol intake”.
“More cheeseburgers”
Mr. Kuhlman's report was released publicly over the weekend to update Americans on the health status of their Commander-in-Chief.
Responding to questions about what the President had to say to millions of Americans struggling with obesity, alcohol and cigarette problems, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said, “I think he would be also the first to tell you that he has probably had a few more cheeseburgers and I think he would admittedly tell you he's had more desserts in the last year than I've seen him eat prior to this.”
Top end of normal
The President, who is a little over 6 feet tall and has a body-mass index of 23.7, according to the report, weighs 179.9 pounds including his shoes and work attire. This would place him at the top end of “normal” on the BMI scale, as anyone over 25 would be classified “overweight”.
While the report cleared the President overall, saying “A standard battery of routine screening laboratory tests was performed and were within the normal range”, Dr. Kuhlman also recommended dietary modification to reduce LDL cholesterol below 130. The report further noted Mr. Obama's self-use of nicotine replacement therapy and the occasional use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication.
Asked about the President's smoking, Mr. Gibbs said: “The President continues to chew nicotine gum and… I'd point you to the comments he made in June … that while he's quit smoking he… occasionally falls off the wagon when it comes to that… like many who have struggled with kicking that habit.”
Tobacco trouble
At the signing of the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act last June Mr. Obama recounted that more than 400,000 Americans die of tobacco-related illnesses each year, more than 8 million Americans suffer from at least one serious illness caused by smoking and almost 90 per cent of all smokers began at or before their 18th birthday.
Speaking on his own struggle with smoking, he said, “I was one of these teenagers, and so I know how difficult it can be to break this habit when it's been with you for a long time”.
Labels: Barack Obama, health, physical examination
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