Mrs. Obama takes on childhood obesity

WASHINGTON (AP) - First lady Michelle Obama launched a nationwide campaign Tuesday to fight childhood obesity, part of her effort to teach America's 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 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 the Oval Office.

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."

She said she tries every day to instill these values in her daughters, Sasha and Malia.

"My kids have to get up and move. They can't sit in front of the TV," she said. "I have them involved in sports ... to compete and to win and to run and to sweat. They have to understand."