Gourmets are often able to cite a personal epiphany, a moment of insight that irrevocably changed the way they looked at food. Often such stories involve France or Italy, an overachieving carafe of vin ordinaire and a budding romance.

In Mark Bittman's case, the mind-bending moment came two years ago, long after he had become a famous cook, when a United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization report titled Livestock's Long Shadow landed on his desk.

Women who get pregnant after having surgery to treat obesity are less likely to have complications during pregnancy than obese women who don't have surgery, researchers say. Their babies are more likely to be healthy, too.

Answer: First, please take your doctor's concerns seriously. Children who are overweight are more likely to get many serious health problems including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, polycystic ovarian syndrome, sleep apnea, depression, and type 2 diabetes. You could ask your doctor if he or she feels your child may be at risk for one of these problems.