October 21, 2009 4:40 PM

Michelle Obama Hula Hoops to Promote Kids' Health

By
Sergey Kadinsky
Topics
White House
(AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari)
First Lady Michelle Obama welcomed elementary school students to the White House for a Healthy Kids Fair today, promoting healthy eating and exercise.

"One of our goals was to focus on the importance of educating our kids about healthy eating," said Obama. "So it wasn't just about planting a garden.

The event was attended by about 100 children and some parents from local elementary schools. Among the presenters were chefs Koren Grieveson, Todd Gray, and dietician Ellie Krieger, who hosts the show "Healthy Appetites" on the Food Network.

(AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari)
The first lady issued a call to action, noting that one in three of the nation's children are overweight or obese.

"So many children in this nation are facing health problems that are entirely preventable," said Obama. "We've got our kids who are struggling with things that we have the power to control."

Concerned with higher rates of blood pressure, heart disease, and cancer, Obama warned of dire consequences in the coming years.

"We're headed for the next generation being on track to have a shorter life span than us."

As a solution, Obama urged children and parents to refrain from junk foods and desserts as regular sources of food.

"My mother would tell us, 'dessert is not a right. It's a treat.' So we had it on special occasions," she said.

As a mother of two girls, she has often heard this: "I don't wanna eat it. I don't like it. It tastes bad. I don't want it," the first lady said in a childish imitation.

"We don't want to hear the whining. We want you to eat it. Just eat it."

(AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari )
The first lady confessed her love of burgers and French fries, but urged moderation. " It's not about any absolute no's. It's just about striking a balance."

Alongside healthy dishes like sweet and zesty popcorn and zucchini quesadillas, Obama joined the children in exercises. She performed 142 revolutions with a hula hoop, the Associated Press reports, before it hit the ground. Her double dutch skills, however, were not as strong.

The first lady said that the White House event is part of a nationwide program, the Healthier U.S. School Challenge, which encourages schools to serve healthy meals, and reduce junk food.

"Changing old habits is never easy," Obama said. "If your school commits to this challenge, there's a possibility that I'll come and check it out."

Photo Gallery: See More Pictures from the Event

Add a Comment
by LaurenMansour October 26, 2009 12:01 AM EDT
Michelle Obama knows that hooping is great exercise - one hour of vigorous hooping burns between 400-600 calories an hour. Go to www.hoopnotica.com to purchase adult sized, weighted hoops. Currently offering $10 off of our travel hoop to celebrate our appearance on Dr. Oz this week.
Reply to this comment
by aprilnyc October 25, 2009 12:50 PM EDT
I saw this story on CBS Sunday Morning.
I hoop myself, with a 3 pound hoop and it's fun, and for kids it could easily be a habit.
When I was school age, the President's Council on Youth Fitness (Kennedy Administration) tested us in various forms, sit-ups, push-ups, pull-ups and sprints, but I don't remember being trained to perform better in the actual test. It made an impression that fitness was important, but you are on your own to get in shape. The Jack LaLanne show was more informative.
I loved seeing Mrs. Obama demonstrating the hula hoop, can you think of any other first ladies performing a task like that?
Reply to this comment
by babooph October 22, 2009 8:52 AM EDT
Is that a hula hoop ,or did she take the belt off Rush?
Reply to this comment
by stuart-johns2 October 22, 2009 12:00 AM EDT
At least she's having fun doing something good for the kids. She's right to be a little pessimistic of the programs success though. It is hard to break those old habits.

Fact is we have had these presidential exercise programs before. They draw a brief bit of attention to the issue and then they seem to fade rather quickly.
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