This Friday, June 4, more than 50 top chefs will take Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move message to the lawn of the White House. The first lady’s newest campaign initiative is the Chefs Move to Schools program, which will be run through the U.S. Department of Agriculture and led by the President’s own chef, Sam Kass. She has enlisted these influential chefs to help sway public opinion about healthy food choices.

"We are going to need everyone's time and talent to solve the childhood obesity epidemic, and our nation's chefs have tremendous power as leaders on this issue because of their deep knowledge of food and nutrition and their standing in the community. I want to thank them for joining the Let's Move! campaign," said Michelle Obama in a White House blog posting May 13.

Chefs that are part of the American Culinary Federation and National Restaurant Association will work with schools, teachers, parents, nutrition professionals, and administrators to help educate kids about food and nutrition.

"The American Culinary Federation is honored to have been chosen as one of the key organizations in this White House initiative," said Michael Ty, CEC, AAC, ACF national president. "The chefs who will participate in the pilot launch were selected for their previous volunteerism with ACF and our Chef & Child Foundation. We are pleased that so many of our chefs will be at the White House for the kickoff, gathered with like-minded chefs who are passionate about promoting proper nutrition and fighting the obesity epidemic in America."

David Pantone, dean of culinary education at Lincoln Culinary Institute in West Palm Beach, Fla., will be at the White House Friday. He agrees that nutritional knowledge is key to fighting this problem.

"I am a strong believer that through proper diet and exercise a child can be better prepared for school, social activities and home life. I am proud to play my part in the fight against obesity by educating others and giving back to my community."

What is Making American Kids Obese?

According to the Mayo Clinic not all children carrying extra pounds are overweight or obese. Depending on body frame and the particular stage of development, a heavier child may be perfectly normal. The tricky thing is that you might not be able to tell if there is a problem based on looks alone. (Experts stress you can always consult your child’s doctor if you have a concern about your child’s weight.)

The first lady’s program focuses on diet and exercise, which are crucial components to addressing the obesity problem. However, the Mayo Clinic also lists the following risk factors for obesity in children:

• Family history – Coming from an overweight family puts a child at risk to carry excess weight. This could be genetic but also due to living in a household where high-calorie food is the norm and exercise is not encouraged.
   
• Psychological factors – Some children use food as a coping mechanism to handle with problems. Others eat for entertainment. They may do so on their own, or they may be copying their parents’ behavior.
   
• Family factors – This one comes down to access. Parents have the largest influence on what a child eats simply by what they stock in house.
   
• Socioeconomic factors - Children from low-income backgrounds are more likely to become obese, possibly because of the time and money it takes to eat and exercise on a regular basis.

While it can seem like children don’t have a chance at health when faced wiht family and environmental factors, education may help them learn to make better, healthier choices for themselves and someday for their own kids. Food is not the only thing to blame. However, if these chefs can help us eat a little less and develop a palate for more natural and home-cooked foods, we all win.