9:20 am, January 17th, 2012
VIDEO
(NBC)
Paula Deen, the popular cooking show host known for her fattening recipes, has confirmed that she has Type 2 diabetes.
“I was diagnosed three years ago during a regular physical exam with my doctor,” she announced on Tuesday’s “Today Show,” explaining that she kept the news private while she “figured things out in my own head.”
VIDEO BELOW
For years, Deen’s promotion of butter- and sugar-heavy foods has drawn criticism from observers of America’s worsening obesity epidemic.
Deen dismissed the notion that she didn’t come forward earlier because it could have damaged her reputation and career.
“I wanted to bring something to the table [with her news],” she said, referring to the launch of Diabetes in a New Light, announced in press materials as a venture intended to “show others that managing diabetes does not have to stop you from enjoying the things you love.”
What do you think?
Given her influence, did Deen have a responsibility to come forward earlier? Or was it a private matter?
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