FLOTUS Promises “Ambitious” Childhood Obesity Program To Come
EmailFrom Sunlen Miller:
Taking one more step toward the expected formal launch of what her aides describe as a “major program” aimed at targeting childhood obesity, First Lady Michelle Obama today joined administration health officials to discuss the release of the Surgeon General’s report about childhood obesity.
The report shows that 2/3 of adults and nearly one in three children are overweight or obese. Obesity in the U.S. more than doubled (from 15% to 34%) among adults and more than tripled (from 5% to 17%) among children and adolescents from 1980 to 2008.
Standing in a yoga room at a YMCA in Alexandria, Virginia the first lady — joined by Dr. Regina Benjamin, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, and Dr. Judith Palfrey, President of the American Academy of Pediatric – said that childhood obesity is threatening the future of the nation.
“So as we’ve seen, the surge in obesity in this country is nothing short of a public health crisis,” the first lady said, “and it’s threatening our children, it’s threatening our families, and more importantly it’s threatening the future of this nation.”
The first lady says she has made a commitment to helping the obesity epidemic and promised that a larger, administration-wide initiative would be launched soon.
“We’re going to be bringing the federal government together, those resources in partnerships with business, non-profit and the foundation communities, all of whom are thrilled to be a part of this endeavor. It’s just been refreshing to see so many people recognizing that this is the time to step up and make some changes.”
Mrs. Obama said some of the changes will be small but make a large different: like creating healthier schools by providing nutritional information to children as part of the curriculum, and good options more affordable and accessible through all communities.
Stay tuned, the first lady said, for details of her “ambitious” initiative, to be released next month.
“I have every confidence, based on the level of energy that I’ve seen, based on the willingness of people to deal with this issue across party lines, the willingness of the business community to be a part of the solution. Every sign that we’ve seen over the course of moving to this rollout has been nothing but positive.”
Secretary Sebelius noted that the president singled out his wife last night during his State of the Union address about her leadership on the movement to address obesity.
The First Lady joked that yes she was embarrassed – as the president said she was — in front of the joint session.
“I get embarrassed when people stand up and clap for me,” she said recalling last night’s speech, “I don’t really know what to do. Do I wave?”
-Sunlen Miller
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The report regarding low fat milk, misses the point. Kids drink way too many soft drinks with sugar…..not too much milk.
Check out the school lunches in your own kids school…..you will find very little about them that is healthy…..just cheap!
Posted by: Rick McDaniel | January 28, 2010, 5:21 pm 5:21 pm
Here is an idea for congress. Since they want to help with this issue make it MANDATORY for PE in schools at the high school level.It is not mandatory anymore in many states. They are phasing PE out. Why? If you want kids to get off their butts dont take it out of the curriculum. Come on.
Posted by: ted | January 28, 2010, 7:25 pm 7:25 pm
How much will this program cost the taxpayers?
Posted by: ollie | January 28, 2010, 7:41 pm 7:41 pm
Here’s an idea: Put the lawyers back on a leash so that kids are allowed to run around outside at lunch time.
My kids’ school removed all play equipment and has banned RUNNING since someone “might get hurt” and them get sued.
We’ve gone insane.
Posted by: John | January 28, 2010, 8:46 pm 8:46 pm
Has she gained weight? She looks a little heavier in this video?
Posted by: Live! From DC! It's Saturday Night! | January 28, 2010, 9:04 pm 9:04 pm
My kids’ school removed all play equipment and has banned RUNNING since someone “might get hurt” and them get sued.
Posted by: John | Jan 28, 2010 8:46:42 PM
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Sad to hear that John.
It seems to me that at some point ‘greed’ took over . .. the philosophy that everything you can get you deserve . . . and this worked its way down to the level of parents suing and lawyers in for the kill as well.
Unlimited greed is not good for the country.
Posted by: tierra | January 28, 2010, 9:54 pm 9:54 pm
I am so glad that Michelle Obama is taking up the cause of obesity in children.
She made so many good points in this speech. It really is about making small changes, whether it is an adult or a child who needs to eat better and move more to attain a good weight.
Posted by: Lydia | January 29, 2010, 9:36 am 9:36 am
Finally an issue with some substance. Whether it should be a federal mandate or merit federal spending is another issue. However, it should be require by local school boards that every child have gym and in the middle and high schools that every kid plays at least one sport. Likewise they should bring back the PE credit necessary at colleges and universities but make the course free or nominal.
The Feds could help by, maybe, giving a tax credit for athletic equipment, gym membership, etc. States could also lessen sales taxes on same. Also, tort reform should be enacted so coaches, schools, churches, camps, parks, etc aren’t liable for accidents, deaths, resulting from physical activities. Programs such as WIC, foodstamps, and subsitized school lunches should be only vegetables, whole grains, organic foods, and US-produced meats- not processed stuff, soft drinks, etc.
Posted by: Ed | January 29, 2010, 11:46 am 11:46 am
another SIMPLE thing is to allow/force/encourage children to WALK or ride bikes to school. Some school districts actually ban this! I know everyone is afraid of the “stranger danger” child-molester- or even weather- but this is mostly a myth and if children go in groups, at certain times, etc it should be ok. That would help a lot and take burden/costs of all the buses and traffic.
Posted by: Ed | January 29, 2010, 11:49 am 11:49 am
Michelle: “I’m doing it for the children……because they’re fat.”
Posted by: FLOTUS | January 29, 2010, 12:11 pm 12:11 pm
Michelle hands off telling me what to eat. Growing up years ago, we drank sugary sodas tons of penny candy. We were always outside playing running bicycle, jumping rope, exedra and there was no serious overweight problem. So get the children of the chair or couch, and get them to play so they can get the exercise
Posted by: betty11 | January 29, 2010, 12:34 pm 12:34 pm
Whatever happened to Michelle taking over the direction of Americorps? Or is it still too hot after the firing of IG Walpin?
Posted by: CassieP | January 31, 2010, 6:59 pm 6:59 pm
First of all, with the milk thing, kids do drink too much soda (high fructose corn syrup is a killer). Milk today is full of hormones and antibodies. It has no value anymore as it has been over pasterized. Secondly, we were more active when we were growing up and we played jump rope and hopscotch and kick the can and flashlight tag and double dutch rope etc. Today most kids are couch potatoes because us parents put them there allowing gaming and laziness as the schools incourage this as well by not implimenting PE into their schedules. PE could be dodge ball, tennis, soccer, games, hula hoops I mean it can be creative. The foods we eat today in boxes with preservatives are unhealthy! No food value. We are what we eat. We need to get back to wholesome goodness and so if it takes a little bit more effort on the weekends to prepare foods and freeze them so be it. Create a food schedule and meal plan for the week. It will save you time and money and be nutricious. Taking playground equipment from schools and this sue happy mode we have all gotten into is ridiculous. I blame this on the lawyers, politicians and the judges for allowing this mess.Bottom line: People need to start taking responsiblity for there own actions and if you are in that dire need of food stamps and WIC then you don’t need the junk you need the whole foods that are good for you and your family. Everyone is getting to be afraid of the world. You know it is no different then it useto be. Their will always be preditors and weirdos out there. Life is about chances but educate your children. Don’t be afraid of the world. Stay in groups, be smart, they have cell phones now to call 911. We did not!
Posted by: Lori | February 5, 2010, 9:14 am 9:14 am
Who cares!!!!! I don’t want Michelle or Barack in anything that isn’t covered by Article 1, Section 8 of the United States Constitution!!! This isn’t going to be a nanny state. There will be a revolution first. The Federal government needs to get the hell out of our faces and stop tormenting us.
Posted by: RightStuff | February 5, 2010, 4:45 pm 4:45 pm
I commend michele for stepping up and encouraging the family to eat healthy.
Posted by: gloria bicey | February 6, 2010, 4:19 pm 4:19 pm