First Lady Joins Elmo to Push Exercise

Michelle Obama's project exaggerates the issue, for starters

(NEWSER) - Kate Harding loves 90% of Michelle Obama's childhood obesity initiative—but she has a real problem with the 10% that is "whipping up fear and disgust of the very fat children you're supposedly trying to help." Her objections, in Salon :

• Exaggeration: Childhood obesity is painted in the most frightening possible way. ("Our children may live shorter lives than their parents.") The truth is, childhood obesity levels are no longer rising—so enough with the "fear-mongering."

But the über-fit first lady just can't do double dutch

(AP) - The president isn't the only Obama with impressive hoops prowess: Michelle managed 142 swivels of a hula hoop yesterday during a "healthy kids fair" on the White House lawn. Jumping rope double dutch? Not so much. The first lady also gave a pep talk about eating right to about 100 children and parents from local elementary schools. Obama said it's OK to eat fun stuff sometimes as long as you usually eat right. More»

First lady's no Hillary, but she'll help president will soft sell

(NEWSER) - Michelle Obama will be joining the push to pass a health reform bill, but the first lady won't be entering into the booby-trapped terrain that Hillary Clinton braved 16 years ago. Instead, Obama will focus on what Politico calls "the soft, soccer-mom sell," focusing on nutrition, exercise, and preventive care. With her approval ratings in the mid-70s, she may be able to attract support from audiences who have tuned her husband out. More»

Hopefully, 'streamlined' silhouette spells doom for 'childish' frocks

(NEWSER) - In a clothing market deluged by “a sea of baby dolls, goddesses, empire waists, and wide A-lines,” Jackie Cooperman is adrift. “Why must it be so difficult to locate dresses cut for women neither childish nor with child?” she writes on DoubleX. Though the advent and popularity of free-flowing women’s clothing is understandable, Cooperman pines for grown-up silhouette. Luckily, trends—and the trendy first lady—appear to have conspired in Cooperman’s favor. More»

(NEWSER) - First lady Michelle Obama has joined the rarefied ranks of Maxim’s 100 hottest women in the world, AFP reports. Obama, who comes in at 93 on the list, is described in the lad mag as the “stimulus package America really needs.” She's the first first lady to receive the honor, but gawkers shouldn’t get too excited. Her portrait in the magazine is the not-so-steamy White House official photograph. More»