Chris Christie, the most popular Republican in the United States, finally decided being morbidly obese was unacceptable. Good.

As the Associated Press reports, Christie had a restrictive band attached to his stomach back in February. He's already lost a reported 40 pounds, and he's projected to lose considerably more. (Given that he was somewhere between 300 and 350 pounds, he's probably got a ways to go.)

This should be cheered for one basic reason: as a huge public figure, Christie's decision to lose weight pushes back at the public health crisis of the 21st century. The United States has had its share of fat presidents, but in today's America, we need leaders who provide a positive example of personal health. The fact that Christie clearly views being fat as an obstacle to the White House is quite heartening, and his example will help show young kids in America that obesity is not a permanent, unchangeable affliction.