Happy Anniversary to the First Lady's "Let's Move" Initiative!

 

As we're nearing the end of February, I think that it is important to acknowledge the efforts of First Lady Michelle Obama in, among many other things, curbing childhood obesity and overweight issues. Michelle launched "Let's Move" in February 2010, making this month the 6-year anniversary, effectively taking a stand on fighting childhood obesity through education, nutrition, and ACTION!

Nutritionally, the First Lady encourages us to take a look at how our society has progressively increased size of food portions consumed every day. Her website states the cold hard facts,

"Portion sizes have also exploded- they are now two to five times bigger than they were in years past. Beverage portions have grown as well- in the mid-1970s, the average sugar-sweetened beverage was 13.6 ounces compared totoday, kids think nothing of drinking 20 ounces of sugar-sweetened beverages at a time.

In total, we are now eating 31 percent more calories than we were forty years ago–including 56 percent more fats and oils and 14 percent more sugars and sweeteners. The average American now eats fifteen more pounds of sugar a year than in 1970."

 Let's Move! (Website Link)

Proper nutrition and portion control are among some of the initiative's top priorities. We agree with you, Michelle! These elements of the obesity challenge need necessary attention and we are thrilled to see that they are being attended to by the First Lady herself. Her personal attention has given rise to some of the following incredible accomplishments (from the Let's Move! Website, link above):

"The Department of Defense announced dramatic improvements to nutrition standards for the $4.65 billion worth of food purchased every year for our troops and their families.

The President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition updated the President’s Challenge Youth Fitness Test to reflect the latest science on kids’ health and promote active, healthy lifestyles rather than athletic performance and competition.

In December 2010, President Obama signed into law the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, groundbreaking legislation that is helping American public schools offer healthier school meals for tens of millions of American children.

 Darden, the world’s largest full service restaurant company, which owns Olive Garden, Red Lobster and other chains, made a commitment to improve kids’ menus by offering a fruit or vegetable and low-fat milk with every meal. "

We think that these efforts, and results, are INCREDIBLE. We should celebrate the achievements of our fantastic First Lady not only now, during Black History Month, but in the months, years, and even decades to come; thanks to Michelle we are on the road toward a happier, healthier future for ourselves and our children- way to go First Lady!