Nutrition ad mentioning Obama daughters is criticized *

Nutrition experts, child health advocates and politics have been colliding in recent days on the Internet as people debate an advertisement on the importance of healthy school lunches that mentions President Obama's daughters.

The ad, distributed by the pro-vegetarian-diet group Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, has a photo of a young girl and states "President Obama's daughters get healthy school lunches. Why don't I?"

The advertisement, posted around Washington, D.C., is designed to grab the attention of Congress regarding the re-authorization of the Child Nutrition Act. The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine wants to see more fruits, vegetables and low-fat foods on school lunch menus, as well as more vegetarian meals.

But, according to a Washington Post story Tuesday, the White House objects to the mention of Obama's daughters and asked the group to take the posters down. The group refused.

Reaction is mixed. Many people say it's not fair to bring the president's daughters into the argument. "The children of the president are always off-limits," Frank Luntz, Republican political consultant, told the Post.

A blog post on Moms Fighting Fat says: "As a mother, and considering President Barack and Michelle Obama's daughters are so young, I think the ad could do without using their names. Children often feel the weight of the world on their shoulders and I can only imagine the guilt they'd feel knowing they are eating better than most of their peers. Not that they aren't aware of such a fact already, but having it publicized in such a manner may do more harm than good to them ... However, at the same time, maybe the ad will get the attention of not just President Obama but other officials in Washington which would force them to take action."

A post on Vegnews.com argues: "The ads were specifically designed to get the attention of the White House, and perhaps more nutritious veg meals for children will be a result."

Congress will take up work on the act after the August recess.

* An earlier version suggested that a blogger on Moms Fighting Fat thinks it's OK to fight dirty. She, in fact, doesn't.

-- Shari Roan

Photo credit: Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine

Comments

[cabbie]

How about the girl in the picture? Did she know her picture was being taken for a political purpose? I can't stand kids in commercials! This is even worse!

[Valerie Pugliese]

I really understand there message and how it will have more of an impact useing the president's children as an example. But do they really want to piss off Obama didn't he say from the begining my daughter's are off limts? I think that no matter who is in office or any business that keeps you in the public eye your children should be off limits. Just my opinion

[Judy Sears]

Oh I see, Obama's kids are off limits????? So what aboaut Sarah Palin's family!!!!!!!!!!!! Sorry, it is okay for some but not for others????????/ NO! It shouldn't be ANY of them but let's play fair now eh.

[Billy Walker]

Undoubtedly President Obama's daughters, who attend a private school, receive excellent school lunches. Every child attending their school receives excellent school lunches. As regards their status as Presidential children, they are not treated differently from other children at their school as far as school lunch is concerned. But it is wrong to bring these minor children into a political battle, even if their names are not mentioned. There is only one President Obama and therefore when an ad mentions "his" daughters, they are certainly referring to these specific children. Their father is the politician, not them. Let them be children and have as normal a childhood as is now possible.

[Ben]

Good ad. Healthy school food is a really important issue, given how many kids today are coping with obesity and early warning signs of diabetes. I also don't buy the argument that the ad is somehow unfair to the president's daughters. It doesn't depict them and doesn't mention them by name. The basic message is pretty simple: Politicians are sending their children to elite schools where healthy foods are easy to get, while other kids are making due with government cheese and surplus mystery meat. I voted for President Obama and contributed to his campaign, but an ad that politely points out that his kids get healthy lunches while other students don't seems very reasonable. Given that the Centers for Disease Control says that 1 in 3 kids born in 2000 is going to develop diabetes, I'm a lot more concerned about why the government isn't doing more to serve healthy lunches to ALL children.

[William Schwartz]

Heaven forbid anyone criticize or shine a light on the great ones kids. i dont remember bush's kids being off limits.
hey maybe now he'll create a vegie czar and give one of his corporate and ivy league cronies a few billion to solve this problem.

[Sandra Winn]

Dear Shari,

In no way, shape or form, was I implying that it was OK to fight dirty by mentioning the ad might get the attention of Obama and Washington officials. I spent far more time saying how damaging I felt it was to the girls.

Respectfully

Sandra Winn

[Renae]

I believe the president and his wife went to school and gained their knowledge so that they can make their salaries. Because they have earned the money, they are able to make sure their children eat and do certain things.
I think the nutrition of the children are the responsibility of the parents. Obesity and diabetes are problems, but exercise and better food/snacks at home can help keep it under control. The food at schools are not perfect, but I think they are okay. The cafeteria workers work hard to provide decent meals for the students.