Our very own First Lady Michelle Obama has launched a battle against childhood obesity. The initiative was taken by the lady after various studies from some of the country's most prestigious institutions revealed that childhood and teenage obesity in America is becoming an epidemic and the number of obese kids and youngsters is now much more than ever.

The First Lady certainly deserves some kudos for the very much needed and noble initiative. She has been doing a lot to make sure that out youth is fit, right from talking to people about it to actually going ahead and meeting with major food manufacturing companies' bosses to try and devise new measures that can be taken to ensure that kids are not putting on weight.

Food majors are being approached by Mrs. Obama and they are also being questioned about the various food products and drinks that they manufacture and target only at kids and teens. Biggies who have been made a part of the important discussion include Kraft Foods Inc., Lance Inc. and Coca-Cola.

Very recently, a report had said that childhood and teen obesity is now spreading across the country like an "epidemic". Once the results were made public, authorities rushed forward to try and tackle the problem, with the Government proposing a child nutrition bill which would try and eliminate any junk food from school cafeterias. Even the FDA is pushing food companies to employ new labels for their products which would be both detailed and easy to understand.

Looking at all the changes being demanded from food companies, one is compelled to think whether the authorities realize that it is more the responsibility of the family and parents to ensure that their kids are eating right. Changing the food industry and the way it labels foods does not seem to be the only approach to take. Agreed, this is an important part of the whole process, but helping parents realize their responsibilities is more important.

Everyone is in a hurry nowadays, including the parents, so they sometimes tend to think that junk and quick-to-prepare foods are the easiest and most convenient choice, and while this is true, one has to keep in mind the ill-effects of gorging down junk food everyday.

Well, how the Government goes about doing stuff still needs to be seen. Till then - many kudos to the First Lady Michelle Obama.