US first lady Michelle Obama to urge Americans to drink more water in "Drink up" campaign First lady Michelle Obama is seen enjoying a healthy drink at a Fresh Grocer store in Philadelphia in 2010. MICHELLE Obama has pushed Americans to eat healthier and to exercise more. Now she says they should "drink up" too. As in plain water. And as in more of it. The first lady, an exercise fanatic who loves French fries and whose biceps are envied by women everywhere, is getting behind a campaign being launched today to encourage people to drink more plain old-fashioned water. Whether it comes from the tap, an underground spring, a rambling river or a plastic bottle, the message is: "Drink up." She is joining the Partnership for a Healthier America as the nonpartisan, non-profit group launches the nationwide effort from Watertown, Wisconsin, with backing from a variety of likely and unlikely sources, including the beverage industry, media, government and entertainers, including actress Eva Longoria. Mrs Obama is the organisation's honorary chair. Mrs Obama said she has realised since beginning her anti-childhood obesity initiative in 2010 that drinking more water is the best thing people can do for their health. "It's really that simple," she said in a White House statement. Drink just one more glass of water a day and you can make a real difference for your health, your energy and the way you feel. So 'drink up' and see for yourself. Every bodily system depends on water, which makes up about 60 per cent of a person's body weight, according to the Mayo Clinic. Water is also a calorie-free option for people concerned about weight control, and is largely inexpensive and available practically everywhere. Sam Kass, executive director of "Let's Move," the first lady's anti-childhood obesity initiative, cited US statistics showing that about 40 per cent of people drink less than half the typically recommended eight cups of water a day and that about one-fourth of kids below age 19 don't drink any plain water at all on any given day.