A Full Plate.

By Richard Stengel, Managing Editor

America the Fit

Childhood obesity is nothing short of an epidemic. A study released last month revealed that nearly a third of America's kids are overweight or obese--and, amazingly enough, the media seemed to consider that good news since the figures were leveling off slightly. (That's like in Washington, where a decrease in the rate of spending is considered a cut.) The problem is very far from going away.

But there is some hope, as this special issue of TIME shows. Investigators are learning how everything from family income to ethnicity to geography helps determine which kids become overweight and which don't. We explore how psychologists and nutritionists are developing protocols to help parents better address weight issues, and we even offer tips on how to get kids off the couch. (Sometimes I just take away my two boys' Nintendos, and that gets them moving--at least in protest.)

Our 85th Anniversary

Just in time for father's day, we're publishing TIME: 85 Years of Great Writing, edited by Christopher Porterfield with a rather sentimental introduction by yours truly. The book collects the work of more than 70 of our greatest writers--from James Agee to John McPhee to Nancy Gibbs--and offers a memorable patchwork-quilt portrait of our times. Since 1923, we have been explaining the world to our readers in vivid, deeply reported and authoritative prose--something we do week in and week out. The great writing and reporting in the book form the DNA of the great writing and reporting contained in the magazine you are holding in your hands.

50 Coolest Websites

From an old tradition to a new one--June 16 on TIME.com we unveil our annual list of the 50 best websites, in which we lasso the seemingly infinite array of Web options into a roster of indispensable sites. The list has grown in influence each year, and the 2008 model is our best and most comprehensive one yet. If you're even a casual Web user, it's a list that will save you time and keep you up to date with what matters. I promise you'll find new bookmarks to go along with your daily visit to time.com

Richard Stengel, MANAGING EDITOR