Simpson 'weight' replaces Obama cover

American magazine US Weekly has been criticised for replacing a cover story of President Obama with one about Jessica Simpson's weight gain.

The newly-elected leader had been lined up to appear on the magazine cover with his family, but a last minute editorial change meant that the publication opted for a story about Simpson's figure instead.

"It's a little hurtful. A weight battle, apparently. Yeah. Oh well," Obama told The Today Show on hearing of the snub.

Simpson, who is currently relaunching herself as a country singer, recently slammed the coverage of her weight gain as "pointless".