FOR THE WEEK OF FEB. 15, 2010

'Let's Move' to shape up and combat childhood obesity, Michelle Obama urges

Look for fitness information, such as news or listings about physical recreation, nutrition or health.

Try to find a food feature or recipe. Do you think Mrs. Obama would consider it part of a healthful diet?

Some ads promote activities or products that may contribute to an unhealthy lifestyle unless they're limited. Do you see any?

Our country's first lady wants to improve diet and exercise routines to combat childhood obesity, a medical term that describes being dangerously overweight. "Our children are on track to be less healthy than we are," Michelle Obama said last week as she pushed a crusade involving doctors, food and beverage makers, government and even the entertainment industry.
Thirty-two percent of U.S. children -- about one of every three -- are considered obese or overweight. That's the highest percentage of any developed nation.

After discussing the issue since last year, the president's wife now is working to change how millions of youngsters eat, exercise, look and feel. Her "Let's Move" drive has four main parts: (1) Helping parents learn more about nutrition and exercise, (2) improving the quality of food in schools, (3) making healthy foods more affordable and accessible for families, and (4) focusing more on physical education.
Steps have begun. Major suppliers of foods to school cafeterias pledge to cut sugar, salt and fat and increase whole grains and produce clear. The front of beverage cans, bottles and vending machines will have clear calories labels by 2012. Film studios, TV networks and other media companies will show public service announcements by athletes and others urging kids to trade video games for physical activity at least some of the time.

As she describes in the video below, Mrs. Obama takes steps to help daughters Malia and Sasha stay fit: No weekday TV. Smaller meal portions. Low-fat milk. Water bottles in lunch boxes. Grapes on the breakfast table. Apple slices at lunch. Colorful vegetables on the dinner table. "We have everything we need right now to help our kids lead healthy lives," she advises parents. "It was really very minor stuff, but these small changes resulted in some really significant improvements."

Website has tips: LetsMove.gov

Doctor says: "You don't just go from epidemic obesity to epidemic leanness." -- Dr. David Katz, obesity expert at Yale University

Blogger says: "Obesity, like smoking, is a public health issue and should be treated that way. The first lady must take a hard look and a tough stance against everything that's making and keeping us fat." -- Linda Villarosa, journalist and author blogging at theroot.com

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