Dr. Kenneth H. Cooper:
Dr. Lisa's Interview

Aired on Superstation WGN
Saturday, June 18 and October 22, 2005
Show 217

"There is a dire obesity epidemic in America today because kids aren't getting enough physical exercise and they're eating too much fast food. They're reducing their lives by 17-27 years and childhood diabetes is on the rise," says Dr. Kenneth Cooper, founder, president and CEO of the Cooper Aerobics Center. "This is the first generation where parents may outlive their kids. We need to concentrate on children," he says. "Food content seems to be a problem. Trans fats are poison," says Dr. Lisa. "Children also need a good exercise program, but yes, food is a problem. Vegetable oils are trans fats. These oils may have a longer shelf life, but shorten your life. They decrease good cholesterol. We lose over 100,000 people a year to coronary disease. Parents need to watch what their kids are eating and get them to exercise. Restricting calories and increasing physical activity will get the weight off," says Dr. Cooper.