Michelle Obama tackles childhood obesity

10 Feb 2010, 7:41 am   -   Source: AP/AFP/SBS
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US President Barack Obama signed an executive memorandum putting First Lady Michelle Obama in charge of an obesity task force (EPA/AAP)

US President Barack Obama signed an executive memorandum putting First Lady Michelle Obama in charge of an obesity task force (EPA/AAP)

America's first lady Michelle Obama is launching a nationwide campaign to fight childhood obesity by encouraging more physical activity.

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America's first lady Michelle Obama says she loves burgers and fries, but wants her daughters - and the rest of America's children - to learn about better nutrition and exercise.

One in three US children is classified as overweight or obese, and there are fears the current generation of Americans could be the first to live shorter lives than their parents.

Obama said a new campaign known as Let's Move will encourage more physical activity for American children, healthier food in schools and more accurate food labelling.

"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," Obama told 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 on Tuesday signed an executive memorandum setting up a task force on obesity headed by the First Lady.

"My administration is committed to redoubling our efforts to solve the problem of childhood obesity within a generation through a comprehensive approach that builds on effective strategies, engages families and communities, and mobilises both public and private sector resources," the memorandum said.

Some of Obama's initiatives, such as tax breaks for grocery stores to move into poorly served communities, will require congressional action.

Tax breaks for grovery stores

In an interview with ABC News, she 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."

Because of obesity and the illnesses associated with it, including diabetes, heart disease and some cancers, doctors have warned that the current generation of US children could be the first to live shorter, less healthy lives than their parents.

Nearly one in five US kids aged six to 19 are obese and one in three is overweight. Even babies are not immune to the scourge, with some 10 per cent classified as obese.

The childhood obesity rate tripled in the US between 1980-1999, creating an epidemic blamed on lack of exercise, a poor diet that is heavy on fat and sugar and not enough fresh fruits and vegetables.

The swelling obesity rate in the United States has also seen medical costs associated with excessive weight balloon from around $US78 billion ($A90.19 billion) a year in 1998 to around $US147 billion ($A169.98 billion) annually in 2006, a study released last year showed.

"We must act now to improve the health of our nation's children and avoid spending billions of dollars treating preventable disease," said the memorandum signed by Obama.



 

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Your Comments

Michelle Obama tackles childhood obesity

Bob Oort - from Georgica NSW, 2 years ago

No reason to doubt Michelle Obama's sincerety. The word "tackle" has a long list of meanings however, so which is it going to be: Tackle McDonalds, Burger King, KFC, Mars, Coca Cola, Monsanto, any of the breweries?

Let's Move! . . . our Children

Leslie Bravo! - from Sacramento, CA, 2 years ago

Put Physical Education back into the curriculum.Fitness & Nutrition go hand in hand.Our children need to do more than learn about the right food choices.They need to get out from in front of the computers, TV and other electronic devices that capture their attention and go outside to play.They need to learn about the importance of physical activity, team building &social interaction.Schools are the primary platform to teach all children of all ethnic & financial backgrounds.

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