Michelle Obama On Childhood Obesity: “This Isn’t Something We Can Fix With A Bill In Congress”

by Drew Grant | 3:38 pm, March 13th, 2010

» 11 comments

It has long been the tradition of First Ladies to become advocates for children-related causes: From Barbara Bush‘s literacy program to Nancy Reagan‘s “Just Say No” campaign, presidential wives have made the health and safety of our children one of their top priorities. And Michelle Obama is no different, taking up the issue of child (and adult) obesity that has reached critical levels in America. Her latest platform? A Newsweek cover story.

A nice breathe of fresh air after all the government health care debates, Mrs. Obama claims that the obesity epidemic is something that must be dealt with in homes and local communities, not in federal government:

‘This isn’t something we can fix with a bill in Congress or an executive order from the president. I’ve spoken with many experts about this issue, and not a single one has said that the solution to childhood obesity is to have the government tell people what to do. Instead, it’s about what all of us can do to help our kids lead active, healthy lives: parents making healthier choices for their families; mayors and governors doing their part to build healthier cities and states; and the private sector doing its part as well–from food manufacturers offering healthier options to retailers understanding that what’s good for kids and families can be good for businesses too.’

Although taking away any sense of federal responsibility and asking private sectors to do their part in this matter is a slippery slope: Remember when the USDA goofed in declaring a vegetable in cafeterias? We might want to keep some oversight on that front.

Michelle Obama, Newsweek, obesity

Caryson

I bet this magazine cover will sell a lot of copies on the newsstand…………………….NOT!!!!

Don’t you love how the MSM wants to commit suicide !!!!!

Bye, bye Newsweak………You suck!
roxsteady

Jealous much? You do realize that every magazine cover the First Lady is on sells out don’t you? Unlkike Palin and her skanky daughter, who were on the cover of In Touch Magazine which sold 500,000 less copies than the previous week with those hillbilly grifters on the cover. Don’t expect Sasha or Malia to get knocked up in their teens. That is left to the trash!
ChrisNH

This is classic. Mrs. Obama smiles broadly on the cover of a 23-page magazine that you’ll only find in Doctor’s office waiting rooms. Why is it only 23 pages long? Because Mr. Obama ruined the private sector and chased away all the lovely advertising that Newsweek used to depend on. Why can you only find it in waiting rooms? Because no one buys it from the newsstand. It’s one of those ‘discretionary purchases’ that people no longer can make because they don’t HAVE any ‘discretionary income.’ I’m quite happy to see the misery all across mainstream media…news-weekly mags like this and TIME; the major network news divisions; and (of course!) those wonderful daily newspapers. You won’t find happy people working at ANY of those places. To that I say, GOOD!
MikeLI631

Can you believe, she offered up, her children, as FATTIES ?

These Progressives don’t have ANY shame, and their shame is relative !
http://www.facebook.com/people/Scott-Smith/100000509592921 Scott Smith

I’m glad the country finally reached a tipping point where this is important We are waging war from the White house down. Great! The problem however is that we have to know the enemy.

Here is another, possibly helpful way to look at the issue. Over eating and lack of activity are not the enemy. They are merely symptoms of a greater problem. Our mindset is the root of these problems. And parents are not only to blame. Reality TV, late night TV ads and even personal training “gurus” have resorted to trickery by telling America that there are “Quick Fixes” that will solve the problem. 6 minute this and 7 day that. Wear a belt or “Shake” your way thin. Just have surgery and cut it off. OMG you’ve got to be kidding me.

None of these things help people to change their lifestyle and make lasting changes. And if we can’t do it as parents we can’t expect our children to do it. Our children need models. they need someone to lead them and not just walk in a particular direction and expect them to follow. Our children need US!

Here’s to healthier kids and a healthier future.

Coach Scott aka “Captain Fitness”
http://www.fitkid.tv
pyrope

I’m happy that Michelle -0bama does not think another piece of legislation (e.g. more government involvement in our lives) is the solution to decrease the number of fat kids. We already have too much government interference in our lives.
annejaa

That’s the only option to tackle childhood obesity in this country.Obesity in child creates numerous problems like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol and that in turn affect to country as it costs $147 billion a year in weight-related medical bills, according to government data.
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http://www.facebook.com/people/Lance-Ward/1628591281 Lance Ward

Has anyone noticed the image in the apple? Net speculation is that it is Marx. @cprater on twitter. Pretty brazen, and telling, if it is.
Menderman

Marx in the apple! Yeah, I’ll buy a copy or two. Nice one Newsweek. I guess they need some way to sell magizines. Clever move.
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