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US first lady Michelle Obama speaks on the rise in obesity - Source: Reuters -
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US First Lady Michelle Obama wants legislation passed to improve nutritional standards and help fight childhood obesity in American schools.
"We owe it to the children who aren't reaching their potential because they're not getting the nutrition they need during the day," she wrote in the Monday edition of the Washington Post.
The Child Nutrition Bill would allocate $US4.5 billion over a decade to support school cafeterias and introduce new standards for food sold in schools, including in vending machines.
The legislation, if passed, would effectively allow banning of junk food in schools.
Tackling childhood obesity has become Michelle Obama's signature issue as she spearheads a national campaign with a 70-point plan, challenging Americans to defeat the problem in a generation.
Obesity is one of the biggest health challenges facing the United States.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says two-thirds of American adults and 15% of children are overweight or obese - a condition putting them at risk of developing heart disease, diabetes and cancer.
In some states, the childhood obesity rate is above 30%.
Disease related to excess weight costs the United States about $US150 billion each year.
is calling on Congress to pass legislation
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