As we celebrate the one year anniversary of Let’s Move!, I am honored to be part of an Administration that prioritizes the power of prevention and invests in the health of our children.

We are working with the public to make healthier choices – from new investments to promote health and wellness and reduce chronic conditions, to creating a new Prevention and Public Health Fund to build healthier communities, including preventing childhood obesity.  We have also mandated that new health insurance plans to cover screening for childhood obesity and counseling from doctors without a co-pay or any other payment.

But, as the First Lady has often said:  We won’t solve our problems just by passing laws in Washington.  We know that stopping childhood obesity isn’t the job of just the government, or doctors, or community organizations.  We all have a role to play.  Communities have been the driving force behind Let’s Move! and people and organizations from all over the country have stepped up.

Sport leagues including the National Basketball Association, the US Tennis Association and the National Football League have teamed up with Let’s Move! and last summer we launched the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition.  Some of our nation’s favorite athletes are working to inspire kids to play sports and get active. Faith groups from across the country have committed to walking 3 million miles and hosting 10,000 community gardens or farmers markets.

Just last month, Walmart, one of the nation’s largest retail stores, announced a new Nutrition Charter designed to bring healthier and more affordable foods to the 140 million customers that shop at their stores each week.

As a country, we have ignored the issue of childhood obesity for too long, but now, thanks to the success of Let’s Move!, we are doing something about it. We’ve built momentum over the last year and we’re ready to build on these outstanding efforts in the year ahead.

The First Lady has challenged us to keep moving. By accepting her challenge, we can ensure a bright and healthy future for our children.