Michelle Obama at the forefont of Whitehouse war on obesity

Michelle Obama is set to represent the Whitehouse in an initiative, designed to help battle the problem of childhood obesity. She also claims that addressing the problem of obesity would be a ‘major’ focus for her during her 2nd term.

She has also said that she would be willing to testify before congress if need be. After her success with the ‘White House Kitchen Garden’, a scheme, designed to educate school children about the importance of a healthy, balanced diet. Vegetable gardens were provided.

"The garden and this first year was really a good way to begin that conversation in kind of a nonthreatening way to feel the pulse of the nation," she said.

Is the world coping with the current crisis?

To date, we have seen numerous schemes worldwide that have focused on the obesity crisis. A government run programme in Taiwan saw a taxation imposed on junk food and foods such as milk, cheese and alcohol. The concept behind the move was to encourage more people in Taiwan to eat healthily and to discourage them from buying sedentary foods.

In relation, the government in Malaysia have also made a move toward curbing over indulgence by reducing its once illustrious sugar industry, cutting the majority of its funding. The question on the lips of hundreds of health experts across the UK, is whether we in the UK should be following suit, with similar schemes to cut our own obesity levels. To date, 29% of women and 32% of men are obese. This is dramatically higher than previous years.

Many commentators have questioned whether we should be reintroducing war time schemes such as food rationing. These initiatives, primarily used to strengthen the war chest during World War II, were introduced during times when the UK was a healthier population.

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