RFK Jr. calls on West Virginia governor to lose weight during joint event

Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is on a mission to make America healthy again, starting with the state of West Virginia. Kennedy and West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey recently announced a ban on certain food dyes, as well as a waiver that would prohibit Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants from using benefits to purchase soda.

Morrisey praised the move, stating that the state is “putting ‘nutrition’ back into the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.” Kennedy commended the governor and urged other state leaders to follow suit in removing taxpayer-funded soda subsidies for lower-income individuals.

Kennedy’s efforts to improve the health of West Virginia residents also extend to Governor Morrisey himself. During a joint appearance, Kennedy jokingly remarked on Morrisey’s weight and announced plans to put him on a rigorous regimen, including a carnivore diet. He even suggested a monthly public weigh-in for the governor as a way to track his progress.

The HHS chief is committed to returning to West Virginia once Morrisey loses 30lbs for a celebration and another public weigh-in. This initiative is part of a larger effort to combat obesity in the state, which has one of the highest rates in the country. According to the CDC, as of 2023, West Virginia had an obesity prevalence of 41.2%, the highest among all states.

Kennedy’s push for healthier policies in West Virginia comes at a critical time, as the U.S. faces a growing obesity epidemic. The World Obesity Foundation ranked the U.S. as the 19th most obese country in the world, with over 43% of adults classified as obese. With Morrisey’s support and Kennedy’s guidance, West Virginia could lead the way in promoting healthier lifestyles and combating obesity on a national level.

Rachel Wolf is a breaking news writer for Fox News Digital and FOX Business.