BRUSSELS, Belgium - The European Union is launching a campaign to promote healthy food to stem the rise of obesity among kids.

EU Farm Commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel says they need to "act now" because the number of overweight children is increasing. She says there are 22 million overweight children in the 27-nation EU, out of a total population of half a billion. Among the overweight children, five million are obese.

Fischer Boel helped launch the campaign Monday. She says it will encourage people to use fresh and locally produced fruit, vegetables and dairy products in meals and snacks at school and in the home.