Bill Clinton's foundation to fight fat

NEW YORK, Aug. 7 (UPI) -- Former President Bill Clinton said his quadruple bypass surgery opened his eyes to fighting U.S. childhood obesity.

"The brush with death I had maybe had the biggest impact of all," Clinton told CNN. "I realized that one more time I've been given another chance, and I wanted to make the most of it."

Clinton, who describes himself as the "fat band boy," said he knows what unhealthy eating habits can do to a young body, but today he has cut down on french fries, eats more fruits and vegetables and exercises in the mornings -- and he wants American children to do the same.

Clinton wants his William J. Clinton Foundation to partner with the American Heart Association "stop the increasing prevalence of childhood obesity" in the United States by 2010.