Michelle Obama is today launching a campaign to tackle childhood obesity in America – while admitting that she loves unhealthy food.

The First Lady has urged children to become more active, but confesses to eating burgers, fries, ice-cream and cake.

The Let’s Move initiative, outlined by President Barack Obama’s wife today, aims to teach youngsters how to increase their daily physical exercise.

It also pushes for schools to offer more healthy meals and calls on food companies to label nutritional information more accurately.

Some of her initiatives, such as tax breaks for grocery stores to move into poorly served communities, will require congressional action.

Health campaign: Michelle Obama, who is famed for her toned arms

‘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 said.

‘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.’

With one-third of the nation’s children estimated to be overweight, the First Lady’s goal is to help solve the problem in a generation.

‘Let's Move operates under the principle that every family wants the same thing for their kid,’ Mrs Obama said.

‘So we're going to figure out how to make it easier for them to get it.’

Mrs Obama has been a champion of healthy eating since her husband won the presidency in 2008.

Last year, she unveiled a vegetable garden at the White House to provide the family – as well as staff and visitors – with fresh food.

The Obamas’ fitness is also well-reported – from Michelle’s pilates-toned arms and hula hopping on the South Lawn to Barack’s penchant for basketball.

Mrs Obama has already admitted putting her daughters on diets after she was warned by the family doctor Sasha, eight, and Malia, 11, were becoming overweight.

They were given new ground rules – such as less burgers, low-fat milk and fruits and water instead of sugary drinks.

The U.S. spends nearly £94million a year fighting obesity.

Recent figures show 32 per cent of U.S. children are obese compared to 27 per cent in the UK.

‘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,’ Mrs Obama added.

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