Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is spearheading an initiative aimed at revitalizing America's health, with a particular focus on the nation's most overweight state, West Virginia, and its governor.
In a collaborative effort, West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey, a Republican, joined Kennedy in announcing a ban on specific food dyes. Additionally, the governor revealed that his state has submitted a waiver to prevent Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients from using benefits to purchase soda.
Governor Morrisey expressed enthusiasm for the initiative, stating that West Virginia is "putting nutrition back into the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program." Kennedy echoed this sentiment, urging other states to follow suit. "I urge every governor to follow West Virginias lead and submit a waiver to the USDA to remove soda from SNAP. If theres one thing we can agree on, it should be eliminating taxpayer-funded soda subsidies for lower-income kids," Kennedy remarked in a statement prior to the event.
As reported by Fox News, Kennedy's mission extends beyond improving the health of West Virginia's residents; he is also focused on Governor Morrisey's personal health. Kennedy recounted his initial encounter with the governor during the transition period as the Trump administration prepared for the president's return to the White House. Kennedy candidly shared his thoughts on Morrisey's weight, stating, "The first time I saw him, I said, You look like you ate Governor Morrisey." He further announced plans to place Morrisey on a stringent regimen, including a carnivore diet.
Kennedy proposed that Governor Morrisey participate in a monthly public weigh-in, encouraging audience members to show support for the idea. The HHS Secretary also committed to returning to West Virginia for a celebration and public weigh-in once Morrisey achieves a 30-pound weight loss.
Governor Morrisey's policies have the potential to significantly impact West Virginia, a state grappling with the highest obesity rate in the nation. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as of 2023, West Virginia was one of only three states with an obesity prevalence exceeding 40%. Specifically, West Virginia's rate stood at 41.2%, surpassing Arkansas at 40% and Mississippi at 40.1%.
In 2022, the World Obesity Foundation ranked the United States as the 19th most obese country globally, with 43.29% of adults classified as obese. In contrast, American Samoa topped the list, with over 75% of its adult population affected by obesity.
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