Michelle Obama has criticised the Trump administration for rolling back her children's health initiative aimed at cutting childhood obesity by serving healthier meals in schools.

US agriculture secretary Sonny Purdue a few weeks ago announced cost-cutting savings to the National School Lunch Program, an initiative overseen by Michelle Obama to cut the levels of sodium and increase the whole grain content of school meals.

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Speaking to the Partnership for a Healthier America health summit in Washington DC on Friday (12 May), Obama drew applause when she asked delegates: "Why is someone OK with your kids eating crap?

"This is where you really have to look at motives," the former First Lady continued. "You have to stop and think: why don't you want our kids to have good food at school? What is wrong with you?"

Republicans feel that the National School Lunch Program is too costly and can even result in fewer children eating school meals. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) had claimed that school districts and states spent $1.22bn (£946m) more on school meals in 2015 than the previous year, but saw decreased student participation, reports the Independent.

Obama did not mention President Trump or any administration officials by name, but was clearly annoyed by their reversal of her signature initiative. Warning that poor diets can lead to children suffering from both obesity and diabetes, she cuttingly told the conference delegates: "I hope that you have healthcare."

On a cheerier note, she reflected that she and former president Barack Obama are enjoying life since he left office, reports the Guardian.

""Everything is really great," she said. "Being 'former' is all right ... The president's good. He's running around out there in the world with his shirt unbuttoned."

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