Childhood obesity is an epidemic. Kids today are suffering from high blood pressure, high cholesterol and type-2 diabetes because of an unhealthy diet and lack of exercise said first lady Michelle Obama.
Type-2 diabetes, Obama said, used to only affect adults - it never was a problem kids had to deal with - now it is.
Military leaders told Obama that obesity is now the most common disqualifying condition for military service.
"It's time for us to get going and do something about this," Obama said. "We have to act. So let's move. Let's get this done."
Today marks the kickoff of Obama's "Let's Move" campaign to end childhood obesity in a generation.
"We kicked off this initiative this morning in my husband's office when he signed a presidential memorandum establishing the first-ever government wide task force on childhood obesity."
The Obamas have proposed $10 billion over 10 years to fund the Child Nutrition Act to "dramatically improve the quality of the food we offer - including in school vending machines."
"We'll take away some of the empty calories," Obama said, "and add more fresh fruits and vegetables and other nutritious options."
"Food deserts" will be eliminated. Food deserts are communities with no access to a super market - forcing families to shop at convenience stores and purchasing unhealthy food.
All families, Obama said, need to have access to healthy food in their communities.
But not everyone is convinced. The National Review's Julie Gunlock wrote a snarky opinion piece about the first lady's effort to end childhood obesity.
Gunlock, referring to Obama's use of her own daughters' health as an example, chastised the first lady.
"Her decision to embarrass her children by talking about the rather delicate issue of their weight in a national interview was presumably intended to inspire other parents to take a more active role in their children's food choices. She had presumably learned from her own family's experience that responsible parenting is the best way to combat childhood obesity.
But apparently the first family's own success has had no impact on Mrs. Obama's policy prescriptions. Her solution for the rest of America is more government intervention."
Not true Obama said today.
"I'm not just talking about folks in Washington," the first lady explained. "This is not about politics. There is nothing Democratic or Republican, liberal or conservative about doing what's best for our kids. And I haven't spoke to one expert who has said that the solution is having government tell people what to do."
She continued, "I'm talking about common sense steps in families and communities to help our kids lead active healthy lives."
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