The Clarion

Issue date: 2/24/10 Section: News

Media Credit: MCT Campus First Lady, Michelle Obama launched the "Let's Move" initiative on Feb. 9. The overall goal of the program is to fight childhood obesity.

First Lady Michelle Obama officially announced on Feb. 9 the launch of the first national broad-range taskforce against childhood obesity. Known as "Lets Move," the initiative is backed by $10 billion over the next decade in federal funding and has four main focal points: healthy choices, healthy schools, increased physical activity and access to healthy, affordable food.

The initiative, which may be the First Lady's main focus while in office, not only has bi-partisan support, but it is gaining popularity all the way from Hollywood to Burger King. However, Michelle Roth, Madison Area Technical College student and mother of two said, "Although I see some good parts of this initiative, I don't feel that it's going to significantly decrease obesity in children."

Healthy Choices

In her address, the First Lady explained that before she and President Obama came to the White House they were two typical working parents who didn't always have the time to prepare a proper meal.

It wasn't until a pediatrician expressed some concerns with her that she began making gradual changes in her home. Roth, who also feels that change starts in the home, says, "As a society, we've established horrible eating and exercise habits that are passed on through families." The First Lady aims to reverse this. She says, "Let's move to offer parents the simple tools, support and information they need to make healthier choices for their family."

Healthy Schools

Like 31 million others in the United States, Roth's children participate in the National School Lunch Program, which is said to provide nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to children each school day. However, she often sends her children to school with additional healthy snacks, because it is her opinion that the current system focuses more on cost than nutrition. Evidently, she is not alone in this theory because the First Lady says, "Let's move to get healthier food in our nation's schools."

Increased Physical Activity

As far as physical activity goes, Roth boasts that both her children have won awards while participating in government fitness challenges. She feels this is not a result of the physical activities her children participate in at school, but due to her efforts to enroll them in activities outside of school.

To help her with this, the First Lady says, "Let's move to increase opportunities for kids to be physically active, both in and out of school and create new opportunities for families to be moving together."

Access to Healthy, Affordable Food

Though Roth has access to various grocery stores, she says she sometimes pays twice as much for healthier options for her family. To try and cut costs she seeks out sale items at each store, but considers how much cheaper it would be to feed her children unhealthy food instead.

Roth feels that "even if healthier food is available and more affordable, there is no guarantee that families will buy it." However, the First Lady has confidence that, given the option, families will choose healthier food items and make gradual changes, like her family did. Therefore, she says, "Let's Move to ensure that all families have access to healthy, affordable food in their communities."

By moving toward healthier choices, healthier schools, increased physical activity and access to healthy, affordable food, First Lady Michelle Obama feels that American families will be able to solve the epidemic of childhood obesity within a generation. 

Over the next 90 days, more timely goals are expected to be established and presented by the taskforce. Perhaps then Roth and other families will be more confident in the national initiative's success.

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