Dunkiní Donuts is going low-fat.

No, this isnít the start of a joke. The company announced recently that it is making the switch to recipes that contain less than half a gram of trans fat across its menu, effective Oct. 15.

What is the world coming to?

Doughnuts never have been associated with health. Homer Simpson, the pudgy, balding cartoon dad of Simpsons fame, represents to most the quintessential doughnut eater; the gooey cylinders of dough, sugar and grease hardly seem befitting for the more health-conscious among us.

Still, even junk-food makers have to face the fact that obesity in the U.S. is reaching epidemic proportions.

Consider the latest findings about obesity in the U.S. Over the past year, 31 states have seen increases in obesity, while not a single state has witnessed a decline.

In Mississippi, the state hardest hit by this epidemic, 30 percent of adults are obese. But even in lean Colorado, which ranked the lowest of the 50 states, 17 percent of adults are signifcantly overweight.

With weight-related conditions like diabetes and heart disease on the rise, this truly constitutes a national tragedy.

Meanwhile, Asheville is about to get its first Dunkiní Donuts this month.

We wonder what impact this will have on Ashevilleís somewhat more health-conscious population.

While we commend the company for its switch to non-trans fats, it should be noted that doughnuts are still, basically, just white flour, sugar and oil.

In other words: low-fat junk.