Vol. 171 No. 25
COVER
It wasn't easy to produce a generation of overfed kids — but it might well have been inevitable
It's Not Just Genetics (America The Fit / The Causes)
The rise in childhood obesity is a single problem with a whole lot of causes. Like any epidemic, it hits some groups hard and leaves others mostly alone. Which group your family belongs to depends on income, ethnicity, geography and more
School Cuisine (America The Fit / School Lunch)
It can be a real meal or a tray full of trouble, depending on what's on the menu
Overweight Children: Living Large (America The Fit / The Consequences)
Overweight children may be setting themselves up for a lifetime of health problems--if they don't take action now
Kids: Watching What They Eat (America The Fit / A Teen's Day)
From sugary cereals to fruity late-night snacks, a day in the dietary lives of three American teens
Weighty Issues for Parents (America The Fit / The Parents' Role)
Life can be hard for obese kids--and just as hard for their parents. Scolding and diets and tough love usually fail, so where do you turn? There are ways to improve an overweight child's menu, health and self-esteem--but the whole household needs to play a role
Fit at Any Size (America The Fit / Body Image)
Trimmer may still be healthier, but staying active is replacing weight as the true standard of beauty
10 Tips To Get Your Kids Moving (America The Fit / 10 Tips)
Get over the notion of exercise as a chore. Here's how to make activity a fun part of even the most reluctant kid's day
NATION
There's no right way to choose a No. 2. McCain and Obama have to decide what matters most: heft, diversity, party unity, regional balance, buzz--or a combination of all five
Can Obama Shred The Rumors? (The Well / Campaign '08)
Having clinched the nomination, Obama turns to something almost as hard: disproving the rumors about his faith, his family and his patriotism
Debating Iwo Jima (The Well / History)
Movies can shape history, but one director is accusing another of misreading it
The Page (The Well / Special Veepstakes Edition)
So You Want to Be Vice President. The dos and don'ts of getting on the ticket
ESSAY
The surprising Virginia Senator is a potent example of the Democrats' new style and thinking
To Swift-Boat or Not
It's easy to say you wouldn't swift-boat your opponent. But what if it were the only way to get elected?
Scared of Flight Attendants? Become One (Commentary / The Awesome Column)
To conquer a fear of flight attendants, Joel takes to the skies and attempts to become one
WORLD
Determined to knock the U.S. off the top of the Olympics podium, China's state-run sports schools are pushing their young students to the limit. Inside the medal machine
Living with AIDS (The Well / World)
Engage your Enemies (The Well / Commentary)
Engaging your enemies can be wise--as Ronald Reagan's diplomatic success proved
Postcard: Ranthambore. (Postcard: Ranthambore)
An Indian tiger reserve experiences a sudden, welcome baby boom. The lessons learned may help save the animals from extinction. The great cat's last, best hope
BUSINESS
The downturn helps the Dems. So does the fact that on this issue, McCain sounds a lot like Bush
Solar Power's New Style (The Well / Business)
The heavy silicon panels of yesterday are giving way to thin-film cells--a cheaper, more flexible technology that could change the way we harness the sun
Business Books (Also In This Issue)
How innovative businesses are using technology to find ways to cool the planet and mint some green for their investors. An excerpt from a new book
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
The animation wonder boys roll the dice on a demanding (and delightful) sci-fi robot romance
's Family Guy
How Tracy Letts, little-known actor, became Tracy Letts, America's most exciting new playwright
TV's Call Girl (Television)
What drives high-class escorts? In one Showtime comedy, it's simpler than you may think
Murder into Art (Books)
There are almost as many bad true-crime books as there are crimes. What makes them so hard to do?
Art of Darkness (Downtime)
5 Things You Should Know About. (Downtime)
A writer tries to grow up, a doctor tries not to go green, and a bluesy lady sings
SCIENCE
From politics to technology to the arts, everything that seems simple is actually complex--and vice versa. How science is sorting out the confusion
Recycling Food Scraps (Going Green)
To reduce methane emissions, some U.S. cities are offering curbside pickup for your leftovers
SOCIETY
A new high-tech program for multi-user bicycles could be offered as a solution to high gas prices and environmental issues
Copper and Robbers (Life / Home Page)
Household items get nabbed amid rising commodity prices
Confessions of a Wi-Fi Thief (Nerd World)
Viewpoint: Stealing your neighbor's wi-fi signal is unethical, illegal and not very efficient. But it sure is easy
SPECIAL SECTION
Natural-foods companies are capitalizing on growing demand for the plant's healthier sugar
Q&A with Best Buy CEO Brad Anderson (Global Business)
Best Buy CEO and Vice-Chairman Brad Anderson talks to TIME's Kristina Dell about competition, acquisitions and expansion.
The Generation Y Hotel (Global Business / Travel)
A new style of inn caters to young travelers, with Wiis, hip bars and designer sofas
PEOPLE
The tennis legend, now retired, looks back on his life in the game--and his record 14 Grand Slam titles--in a new memoir, A Champion's Mind. Pete Sampras will now take your questions
TO OUR READERS
TIME serves up a smart report on childhood obesity, an anthology of our best writing and a list of top websites
LETTERS
NOTEBOOK
The world must do more than watch the crisis in Zimbabwe
The World (Briefing)
10 ESSENTIAL STORIES
Verbatim
A Brief History Of: The Necktie
Pop Chart
Milestones
Thrills--and Agony (Briefing)