Americans too fat? Walmart to the rescue

A pretty interesting combination of companies are banding together to help combat obesity, particularly among kids. The newly formed Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation claims to be launching "a national, multi-year effort designed to help reduce obesity -- especially childhood obesity -- by 2015." The focus is on education; not just healthy eating, but turning food into energy." Or, as the rest of us call it, burning calories.

Funnily enough, the Foundation is made up of some of the largest packaged food manufacturers including Campbells, Coca Cola, Nestle and Sara Lee. Hardly paragons of healthy eating. Although I suppose every little bit helps, isn't this a little like the tobacco companies launching a campaign for responsible smoking?

Walmart isn't part of the Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation, but it's now selling Nutrisystem. Walmart began carrying the Nutrisystem 14-Day Starter Program this week in stores and online. This might not seem like news, but it marks the first time Nutrisystem is sold through the retail channel.

You'll be able to purchase the starter kit as a gift card in Walmart's pharmacy department for $148. It's hardly a philanthropic effort, but with something like a third of all Americans visiting a Walmart each week, it might go a ways toward reducing our collective weight.

Although fans of PeopleofWalmart.com might have fewer photos to oggle.