NYT TV critic Alessandra Stanley on CNBC's May Sweeps "One Nation, Overweight" Tuesday at 10P: CNBC provides a broad, sensible look at a problem that is not new, but is increasingly dire. There are a few journalistic lapses, however.
The film spends quite a bit of time on a promising weight-loss drug, Qnexa, that is awaiting approval from the Food and Drug Administration. It helps suppress appetite and has had better results than similar drugs in clinical trials, according to the documentary. Mr. Wapner interviews Leland F. Wilson, the chief executive of Vivus, the maker of Qnexa, who is predictably bullish. So is the only research scientist shown on camera, Dr. Michelle Look, a sports medicine specialist who is a lead clinical trial investigator on Qnexa and a paid consultant to Vivus.
A deputy director of the F.D.A. is interviewed but doesn’t say much about Qnexa, except to explain that his agency is under pressure from advocacy groups to speed up approval of anti-obesity drugs.
And credibility, once shaken, is hard to restore. Jim Trudeau, a small-business owner from Madison, Wis., who attended a weight-loss program at the Biggest Loser Resort at Fitness Ridge in Ivins, Utah, lost 200 pounds, but has another 200 or so to lose, since he started at 600. Mr. Trudeau is an articulate and sympathetic figure, but it’s hard not to wonder if he was picked for his personality, or because “The Biggest Loser” is on NBC, a sister network to CNBC.
“One Nation, Overweight” takes a serious look at a serious problem, and it would be better if it showed more discipline in curbing its own weaknesses.
Related: David Hinckey NYDN
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my daughter had the lap-band surgery and lost almost 100 lbs, she works for doctors who specialize in kidney problems, diabetes which I have, lose legs, feet and believe me when I got diabetes four years ago and I went to her doctor, saw people coming in that lost a leg just because of diabetes and not watching their diet, it scared the hell out of me and made me lose weight, my diabetes now is totally under control with just medicine, and it was all because of my weight that I got it, the kids today have such bad eating habits, I do not want my grandchildren to have this problem. now specter is losing, marty you got me worrying now about sestak, I think you are so right.
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