In the ongoing fight against childhood obesity, First Lady Michelle Obama started the Let’s Move! campaign to help children be more physically fit and conscious of the food they eat. To help promote this initiative, employees from USDA and other federal agencies recently teamed up with the local non-profit Horton’s Kids, an organization recognized for its programs aiming to improve the lives of Washington, D.C. kids.

When we think about childhood obesity, most of us think of kids playing video games or eating sugary, unhealthy food.  Less obvious — but not less important — is the impact a child’s neighborhood has on his or her health – and whether it offers them the opportunities they need to walk, run, and play.  Indeed, children in neighborhoods that lack sidewalks, parks, playgrounds, and community centers have up to 45 percent higher odds of becoming obese or overweight.

Six months ago the Apps for Healthy Kids competition called upon Americans to design engaging online or mobile games and tools to educate people of all ages about the importance of healthy eating and physical activity. As part of the First Lady’s Let’s Move! initiative, this challenge brought together solvers from across the Nation.

Editors note: Organizing a meetup is a great way to get involved and support your community.  Below, a team of Federal employees share how they set up their first meetup.

We are a team of six Federal employees enrolled in a 9-month long Executive Leadership Program (ELP). We come from different agencies, Department of Education, US Department of Agriculture, General Services Administration, Department of Energy, Federal Aviation Administration, and Department of Defense – Navy.  As part of ELP, we were tasked to come up with a team project that was designed around an issue or policy matter facing an agency, non-profit organization, or other entity.