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

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.