The American public must have been on the edge of their seats Saturday when the hottest man and woman in the United States were announced on ABC.

These two young people are now truly the hottest in all the land, according to judges on "Are You Hot? The Search for America's Sexiest People," a show that premiered this past winter.

Basically 20-somethings come out in front of an audience in their bathing suits and three washed-up celebrities criticize or compliment the way they look. Then the audience votes by cheering.

(Now don't get it mixed up with "All-American Girl," also on ABC. There are talent and intelligence tests on that equally ludicrous show).

I watched "Are You Hot?" for the first time Saturday, the day it announced the winners. I'm not sure how many people the judges and audience weeded through, but all of the finalists were blessed with good genes.

But, of course, there can only be two truly "hot" people out of all of them. One of the contestant's ears stuck out a little. Another's smile wasn't stellar, the criticism of which caused that contestant to blurt out, "This isn't 'Are You Perfect?,' it's 'Are You Hot?"'

Two of the judges agreed another contestant's ankles were kind of fat.

Fat ankles?!

For God's sake, the 18-year-old waif of a girl had no fat on her. Is this something all of us should worry about when we're in our bathing suits? Should I be looking for the most ankle-slimming flip-flops this summer?

And the truth is, it isn't something we should be worried about.

Nor should we be worried about living up to the model-aspiring contestants on "Are You Hot?"

In fact, according to recent statistics, the majority of Americans wouldn't fit that television show ideal.

And that's OK.

What isn't OK is while television shows push the idea that most people are thin and fit, the reality is that the United States has a weight problem.

This weight problem isn't a matter of attractiveness. It's a matter of good health.

Obesity is the topic of focus for this year's National Public Health Week, which began Sunday.

About two-thirds of Americans are overweight or obese, according to the American Public Health Association. And this problem isn't going to go away. The proportion of children who are overweight has tripled since 1980.

Public Health departments, including Mower County's, are promoting good eating habits and finding time for physical activity.

It would be great if people would change their eating and exercising habits. Incidences of serious health problems would decrease. People would live longer.

That's easier said than done. None of us are probably willing to give up a favorite food. And some days exercise just isn't a priority.

But an underlying problem to losing weight is the motive.

People often are motivated to lose weight, not because of health reasons, but because of appearance reasons.

And they want to look attractive

now.

When a surgery makes it possible to attain some sort of ideal quickly, that becomes the most appealing option.

Health again is pushed to the back burner.

Exercise has so many more benefits than looking "hot." It gives you more energy, puts you at less risk for cardiovascular diseases and makes you a healthier person overall.

But for a teenager who wants to look like Britney Spears, health problems at 40 aren't a concern.

Schools can teach nutrition and physical activity, but there also needs to be shift in the way weight loss is perceived. Much of those images come from the media.

Physically fit equals attractive.

It's becoming an old complaint, but the media needs to show realistic-looking people. In TV land, the biggest weight problem is fat ankles.

In real life, weight problems are increasingly leading to serious health consequences.

Cari Quam can be reached at 434-2235 or by e-mail at :mailto:cari.quam@austindailyherald.com