DENVER -- Obesity and hunger are two sides of the very serious public health problem of malnutrition.
It's no coincidence that some of the heaviest people typically have the worst diets -- sugary soda for breakfast, fast food and convenience store cuisine. That's why we were glad to hear agriculture secretary nominee Tom Vilsack talk about putting "nutrition at the center of all food assistance programs administered by the department."
Some might argue that if people want to eat poorly, that's their right. But the country doesn't have to subsidize such self-destructive behavior and, in fact, has an obligation to encourage otherwise.
One of the ways child nutrition can be addressed is through school breakfast and lunch programs, which provide 40 million meals each day.
This is a prime time for Vilsack and others to create stronger links between good nutrition and food assistance. It's particularly relevant as the country's worsening economic problems are driving more people to seek food stamps and other assistance.
