Speaking in Washington, D.C. before a gathering of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, Obama said no matter how much she and read and thought about the problem, the statistics showing a dramatic rise of obesity among young people “never fail to take my breath away.”

The First Lady was referring government reports showing that childhood obesity has tripled in the last 30 years. "This isn't the kind of problem that can be solved in one year, or even one administration," according to Obama, who is expected to unveil an anti-obesity initiative next month. "But make no mistake about it; this is a problem that can be solved."   

Obama added that obesity “could now be an even greater threat to America’s health that smoking.” The latest study from the government’s National Center for Health Statistics finds that 68 percent of Americans are either overweight or obese. Those who are obese represent slightly more than a third of the population – 34 percent. Blacks, especially African American women, are among the nation’s most overweight.  The details of the First lady’s anti-obesity program are expected to be announced next month.

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