Sharp Partisan Divide Over Government Role in Fighting Obesity, Poll Finds

With so many people out of work, most families are stretching the food budget as much as possible. McDonalds,
Burger King, Pizza Hut, Subway, Arby's and Wendy's are one block from my house. Their parking lots are empty. No one is buying fast food because they cannot afford it. The Obamas should be pleased. Food prices have sky-rocketed along with the gas to get there. Educating parents about nutrition does not put money in your pocket to buy it.

Mrs. Obama isn't trying to police peoples bad decisins in food buying she is only suggesting people be more careful about what they put in their mouth. It only shows the ignorance of some.to think it is more. By the looks of some I have seen, especially south of the border, It wouldn't hurt to listen to some of what she has said.

If the parents can't properly feed their children, the government should step in and take the children away. No child should have to live with overweight parents who don't have the first clue on how to feed themselves. All they know is "More"

Proof American children are getting so obese they will not live as long as their parents isn't enough for Republicans. Of course, if Laura had done this it would be just great. Oh well, Republicans should continue to feed their children on junk food and the rest of us will attempt a healthier diet. Then we shall see who lives the longest.

It is 100% unrealistic for the govt to believe they can control what people eat in their private lives unless they are willing to turn America into a communist dictatorship. There is nothing wrong with healthy eating promotional campaigns. Other than that, America's govt needs to get our of our private lives and stay out.

that's the dems for ya, always wanting to be big brother!

Great! Another non-story to distract us from the real issue. Do any of you people really believe parents feed their children fast food because they 'want to'? Try to 'buy healthy' on an average American family's budget. See how far that gets you and THEN think about what role the gov't should be playing in this.

Hint: it's at the production level not the consumer level.

The unfortunate issue in America today is IGNORANCE. The LACK of KNOWLEDGE and the DISSEMINATION of DISTORTED INFORMATION by folks with their OWN PERSONAL AGENDAS do a DISSERVICE to AMERICANS. For EXAMPLE: Do Americans realize that there IS a difference between FAST Food and JUNK Food? One can purchase food at FAST FOOD outlets without buying JUNK FOOD. And JUNK FOOD can be purchased in places that are NOT FAST FOOD outlets. Wow- I think explanations are a bit too difficult for most Americans to understand. Regardless, those that PROMOTE and ENCOURAGE HEALTH LIFESTYLES through EXERCISE and Good NUTRITION, Should Be COMMENDED.

Maybe the question should be, " Should the government have a role in protecting children from their parents?". If children are dieing because of illnesses related to obesity (ie: heart disease, adult diabetes) and parents refuse to address the obesity, what would you have the government do, nothing? Come on naysayers, you know many parents aren't being responsible. That's evident when you go out in public places and see children who are wider than they are tall. I would even venture to say you saw the child and said to yourself, or others, 'those parents really need to do something'.

Michele Obama wants to educate people on what is good for them and what is not that is fine. When government wants to tell people what to eat there is a problem. When government want to add tax on somethjing because they feel people should not eat it there is even a bigger problem. Michele was not elected and should not be trying to make laws and dictate to people. She want to educate people on issues that is fine. But she should not have any power to dictate or control anything. Which branch of the government is the first lady in?