By Shawn Zeller, CQ Staff

LBJ had his war on poverty. Then there was Ronald Reagan’s war on drugs and George W. Bush ’s war on terror. Public health advocates are hoping a Barack Obama administration will wage war on fat.

They’re encouraged by language in the Democratic platform, which for the first time mentions the need to combat obesity — not just once, but three times.

At a Monday morning forum sponsored by the Obesity Society, which represents 2,000 basic and clinical researchers focused on obesity, Obama domestic policy adviser Melody Barnes said the presidential candidate “is committed to using any range of tools, legislative, regulatory, executive order and bully pulpit to try and get at this issue.”

Barnes said Obama would focus on improving the health care system to provide better preventive care. The new administration, she said, would provide incentives for schools and employers to provide wellness programs to students and employees aimed at encouraging healthy eating and exercise.

But Barnes said proposals backed by some public health advocates to restrict advertising of unhealthy food to children could encounter constitutional problems. She declined to comment on whether Obama would consider supporting a tax on junk foods to raise money for obesity treatment and prevention.

Barnes’ responses seemed to satisfy Obesity Society officials. Executive Vice President Morgan Downey praised Obama for bringing “momentum behind this issue.” He said he is not concerned that Barnes seemed reluctant to take on major food companies.

“Obviously when you go to trigger government’s regulatory and taxing power you are going to be stepping on some very big toes,” he said.

But Obesity Society President Gary Foster said the “stakes are so high” the government needs to consider all possible solutions.

According to the Obesity Society, rates of obesity in the United States increased from 13 percent of the population in 1960 to 32 percent in 2004.