Doctor: Georgians have much in common with 'Honey Boo Boo' - DC Breaking Local News Weather Sports FOX 5 WTTG

While some many have cringed in embarrassment at TLC's hit show "Here Comes Honey Boo Boo," a doctor at Children's Health Care in Atlanta says we may have more in common with the show than we'd like to admit.

Dr. Stephanie Walsh says Honey Boo Boo's health habits maybe more normal in Georgia than everyone would like to believe.

"I think what surprised me is that wow, she has some pretty unhealthy habits that they are willing to show us on TV.   But then I started thinking, really are they just an amplified version of the unhealthy habits that we have in Georgia," said Walsh.

Walsh wrote an opinion piece for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.  She says considering that 40 percent of Georgia's kids are overweight or obese, Honey Boo Boo's TV lifestyle is more reality that parody.

"I am saying that it's not about weight. It's about health. Are there things that that family can do to be healthier?  Absolutely. Are there things that we all could do to be healthier? Absolutely," said Walsh.

Walsh agrees that Honey Boo Boo is entertaining, but she says it can also be a learning experience for families to examine their own diet and health habits.

"We should this as a time in our state to say, ‘Hey what are we doing, how could we make changes?'  If we really have that many kids who are overweight and obese, maybe we need to really do something about it, and start in our own homes. Let's take a look at what you are doing. Look at those sports drinks after sporting events and Little League games. Is that really necessary," said Walsh.

Walsh says that of the 1 million kids in Georgia who are obese or overweight, nearly 75 percent of them have parents who are not aware of the problem.