October 13, 2009 5:01 PM

Michelle Obama Sounds Warning Over Childhood Obesity

By
Amanda Sterling
Topics
Michelle Obama
(AP)
First Lady Michelle Obama put a spotlight on the importance of good nutrition and children's health today during a speech at the Department of Health and Human Services, continuing her campaign for healthy eating habits to fight rising obesity rates.

"Nearly a third of all children in this country are overweight or obese… and a third will suffer from diabetes at some point in their lifetimes," Obama said. "It is a major public health threat right now, so just imagine what we're going to be facing in 20 or 30 years if we don't get on this issue."

The first lady addressed practical problems surrounding good nutrition, such as long work hours, dirty or unsafe neighborhood playgrounds, a lack of healthy food options and cheap, unhealthy take-out food. She said that she struggled with these day-to-day issues herself as a parent before receiving a wake-up call from her daughters' pediatrician.

"I remember coming home from a meeting or an event, tired- just tired... Going home to an empty refrigerator and kids who were hungry. And fussy… And all they want is some pizza and some burgers… I can relate," she said.

Obama acknowledged the necessity for safe facilities and accessible, nutritious foods, and called for parents to make better choices. She warned of the dangers facing future generations if childhood obesity rates continue to increase.

"What does it meant that medical experts are now warning that for the first time in the history of our nation, the next generation may be on track to having a shorter lifespan than this generation, and their parents?" Obama asked the crowd. "None of us wants a future like that for our children."

Add a Comment
by relaxingwith October 11, 2010 3:11 PM EDT
I saw a news report about a program that brings fitness into to the classroom and I think is a really good idea. Kids are just not getting the exercise they need anymore and not eating right

The campaign reinvents recess by pairing dance instructors with schools to increase students? activity through creative movement. Until recently, the program was only implemented in Connecticut schools but is now available to schools across the country.

As part of the launch of the program, a nationwide video contest has been announced for children and young teens in grades 2 through 8 across the United States in addressing childhood obesity. I found this information on their site, www.recessrocks.com.
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by pitbullbuda March 19, 2010 10:44 AM EDT
INSTEAD OF GOING AFTER THE FOODS THAT PEOPLE EAT HOW ABOUT PUTTING A STOP TO THE POISIONING OF THE FOODS WE EAT!!! FROM THE ASPERTAME ,FLOURIDE,MERCURY OR THE HORMONE INJECTED BEEF THAT OUR GOVERNMENT JUST LOVES TO FEED US AND THE MANY MORE THAT THEY HIDE FROM US LIKE THE TRUTHS OF GENETICALLY MODIFIED FOOD THAT THEY WANT US TO EAT OR HOW ABOUT GOING AFTER THE DOCTORS AND PHARMA COMPANIES THAT ARE TELLING ARE KIDS THEY ARE DEPRESSED, RIDDLED WITH ADHD AMONGST OTHER THINGS AND THEN WANT US TO KEEP THEM DOPED UP ZOMBIES INSTEAD OF BEING WHAT THEY WERE MENT TO BE (KIDS) HOW ABOUT THIS .YOU JUST TAKE CARE OF YOUR OWN DAMN FAMILY AND STAY THE HELL OUT OF THE REST OF OURS. WE DONT NEED THE SOCIALIST AGENDA OF YOU, YOUR HUSBAND OR THE REST OF THE GOVERNMENT TELLING US WHATS RIGHT FOR US OR ARE KIDS. IF YOU REALLY WANT TO FIX SOMETHING THEN YOU MUST FIRST REALIZE THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS THE PROBLEM
Reply to this comment
by weilert December 28, 2009 12:54 PM EST
?Being overweight sucked, but after reading your book, I lost 85 pounds! Words can?t express how good I feel!? This is a comment which I recently received about the book Lose Weight Using Four Easy Steps which can be ordered through www.bbotw.com
Reply to this comment
by proudmilvet October 13, 2009 10:03 PM EDT
Michelle should have warned the children not to wind up looking like Rush Limbaugh! LOL!
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