Lady Obama Gets U.S. Moving!
Written by Corinne Dobbas, MS, RD // March 2, 2010 // Exercise, Health, Nutrition // 6 Comments
WooT-WooT! Go Lady Obama! For the first time in U.S. history, the White House has established a Task Force, lead by the The Department of Health and Human Services, to tear up and throw down childhood obesity—nationwide. And First Lady Michelle Obama is spearheading the fight with her AWESOME Let’s Move campaign.
A Lil’ Initiative Briefing
Q: The goal of the initiative?
A: To end the childhood obesity epidemic within the next generation.
Q: Why is this important?
A: Well—because for the first time in history, our children could live shorter lives than their parents. Today, nearly 1 in 3 children and teens in the U.S. is overweight or obese. And if current trends continue, 1/3 of all individuals born in the year 2000 or later will at some point suffer from diabetes. This along with heart disease, high blood pressure, and cancer are also linked to obesity—whether a child or adult. This initiative will hopefully help zap our nation’s health woes and zip the $147 billion spent annually on diseases like diabetes, high cholesterol and blood pressure, cancer, and asthma.
Q: How is First Lady Obama involved?
A: Through creating public awareness on the healthifying initiative with her Let’s Move campaign—where everyone from parents and celebrities to medical and government leaders are involved. Goals of the nationwide campaign/initiative are to: 1) ensure access to healthy, affordable foods; 2) increase physical activity (aka movement!!!); 3) provide healthier food in schools; 4) empower parents to make good choices for themselves and their families.
NOW–get In The Know! Watch the video introducing you to Let’s Move … that is if you haven’t already met.
Granted, the goal to solve the problem of obesity in the next generation is lofty, but if we ALL, literally, get movin’ and eating more healthfully—we’re heading in the right direction.
Happy Healthifying!
What do you think of Let’s Move?
I say goodbye to fad diets, bogus "fat-burning" pills, and processed, non-food food. And, I smile hello to a healthifying lifestyle full of fruits, veggies, and whole grains, sweaty workouts, the occasional "chocolate fix," sleep, family and friend time, and quality "me time" with a focus on health. I look forward to your comments and thoughts as the posts healthify on by!
6 Comments on " Lady Obama Gets U.S. Moving! "
yes I heard she was doing this! so great….go michelle
Just watched this video a week or two ago, and have definitely been planning a post about it. She is definitely inspiring and down to earth, and I’m so glad our government is finally getting involved in attempting to make our nation healthier.
I loved this and really hope it can work out for the best! It’s so refreshing to have a first family with such healthy aspirations
This is great, it’s so sad to see kids battling obesity and health problems at such a young age
My young nieces get much junk food on a daily basis in school, at parties, parents bringing in cupcakes and candy for birthdays, etc. So much more than I had at their age.
yay! i love michelle obama and her initiatives regarding nutrition and activity. so important and she’s a role model for so many so i know she can make big changes!
I love that Michele Obama is dedicating time to this cause. I work with this population and it is nice to see someone spreading more awareness.