Recommit to Taking Action this National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month
Help raise a healthier generation of kids. That’s what First Lady Michelle Obama set out to do when she launched Let’s Move! nearly seven years ago. It was no small task, but it was something the First Lady cared deeply about from her family’s personal experience, and she wanted to bring the lessons she learned to the White House to help other families across the country lead healthier lives.
At the launch of Let’s Move! in 2010, President Obama established the first-ever Task Force on Childhood Obesity, and later that year, he proclaimed September as National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month for the first time. Now for the seventh year in a row, the President has proclaimed September as National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month.
“This year, as we observe National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, let us renew our commitment to giving America's daughters and sons a healthy start in life,” said President Obama. “We must each do our part to reduce childhood obesity and empower our children to reach for the brighter, healthier future they deserve.”
President Barack Obama shakes the hand of Colorado Healthy Lunchtime Challenge winner, Raine Adams, seated with her mother Stacey, left, at the Kids’ “State Dinner.” (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
Combining comprehensive strategies with common sense, Let’s Move! has worked throughout the Administration to develop and support programs and policies that help put children on the path to a healthy future during their earliest months and years; give parents helpful information and foster environments that support healthy choices; provide healthier foods in our schools; ensure that every family has access to healthy, affordable food; and help children become more physically active.
Everyone has a role to play in ensuring our kids grow up healthy, and we are grateful to all of the parents, schools, elected officials, chefs, athletes, healthcare professionals, and business leaders who have stepped up to do their part. Through collaborative, multi-sector efforts, we have started to make progress and are seeing a cultural shift in the way we live and eat. However, this is really just the beginning of our work together, and there is still more work to be done so that all kids have access to the nutrition and physical activity they need to reach their full potential.
Following the President’s call to action, let’s recommit to this work on behalf of our kids and continue to find innovative and inspiring ways to raise awareness and scale up the efforts that are working so that kids born today will only know this healthier, new norm. Although Mrs. Obama’s time in the White House ends next year, she is committed to making the most out of the time left and has reiterated that she is dedicated to these efforts long after she leaves the White House. As she said earlier this year, “I will always be here as a partner in this effort – always.”
