Michelle launches campaign to cut obesity

Encouraged by Michelle Obama’s campaign to reduce childhood obesity, the company that owns the Olive Garden, Red Lobster and four other popular restaurant chains in the US is pledging to cut the calories and sodium in its meals and overhaul its kids’ fare.The company will pledge to reduce the calories and sodium in all its meals by 10 percent over five years, and by 20 percent over 10 years. For children, French fries and sugar-sweetened beverages will become the exception and not the rule.All kids’ meals will automatically come with a side of fruit or vegetables and eight ounces of 1 percent milk unless an adult requests a substitute, Drew Madsen, said president and chief operating officer of Orlando.“We think it’s the most comprehensive health and wellness commitment in the industry,” he said. Darden’s restaurants serve more than 400 million meals annually at more than 1,900 locations nationwide.