Reply #19: Michelle Obama is one smart woman

[handmade34]

and I trust she would see this through every angle. I believe that for the movement to work, it will require an entirely new attitude and way of thinking about, seeing, buying and cooking food. ...and the environment in which we eat the food. This is one BIG job. Food has become much more than just nutrition for many people and many of us have lost any rational thinking about how to fuel our bodies. Our unregulated economy has allowed food processors and corporate producers to offer consumers 'real junk'... and pass it off as food. I grew up poor and we ate hot dogs and mac and cheese and yuck and rarely fresh fruits and vegetables. when I left home I 'accidentally' learned about real nutrition and how healthy food can actually be good (tasty, health-wise and nutrition wise) My family made fun of me for eating funny (sprouts and tofu, etc..) and ostracized me for not eating what we grew up on. Food is deep seated, emotional and it will take work to change the culture of junk food.

Exercise is a difficult problem also. When I was little, I climbed trees, ran in the woods, walked all over and explored. These spontaneous activities rarely happen anymore and kids should be all about spontaneity. The lack of money for schools to offer phys ed and the like is problematic also. No easy answers, but a problem that needs to be addressed.