WASHINGTON - First lady Michelle Obama launched a campaign Tuesday to fight childhood obesity in the U.S., part of her effort to teach children about better nutrition and exercise.
Mrs. Obama said the Let's Move campaign will encourage more physical activity for children, healthier food in schools and more accurate food labeling. Some of her initiatives, such as tax breaks for grocery stores to move into poorly served communities, will require congressional action.
"I would move heaven and earth to give my kids all the chance in the world for them to be at the top of their game in every way, shape and form," Mrs. Obama told the newspaper USA Today. "Let's Move operates under the principle that every family wants the same thing for their kid. So we're going to figure out how to make it easier for them to get it."
President Barack Obama praised the first lady for tackling what he called one of "the most urgent health issues facing the country."
"This has enormous promise in improving the health of our children, in giving support to parents to make the kinds of healthy choices that are often very difficult," Obama said Tuesday, before signing a memorandum establishing a childhood obesity task force.
In an interview with ABC News, Mrs. Obama acknowledged: "I love burgers and fries. And I love ice cream and cake. And so do most kids."
But, she added: "We're not talking about a lifestyle that excludes all that. The question is how do we help people balance that out so that they're not facing life-threatening, preventable illnesses, but they're enjoying their food, they're eating their vegetables, they're doing their running and walking and playing and still have time to get a good, fun meal in every once in a while."
"There's no expert on this planet that says the government telling people what to do really does any good on this issue," Mrs. Obama said. "This is going to require an effort on everyone's part. We have to have a tailored approach on this."
