Let’s Move!…and Fight Childhood Obesity!

Obama recently kicked-off the Let’s Move Cities, Towns and Counties (LMCTC) initiative in collaboration with the National League of Cities. A $1 million grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation will aid local officials in improving childhood health by providing the necessary tools and assistance to improve nutrition and promote physical activity.

"The physical and emotional health of an entire generation and the economic health and security of our nation is at stake." - First Lady Michelle Obama

There are numerous supporters of the initiative, one being Mayor Michael Nutter of Philadelphia, who was present at the recent launch of the initiative. There he voiced his support and commitment on behalf of the city of Philadelphia, where childhood obesity is at an all time high. In support of the initiative, Philadelphia’s public-health program, Get Healthy Philadelphia, has increased access to healthy food, especially in low-income areas. As Mayor Nutter rightly stated, childhood obesity is “not a Democrat or Republican issue. It’s an American issue.”

In order to take part in the LMCTC initiative participants commit to five goals to significantly assist in reversing childhood obesity.

  1. Start Early, Start Smart: early care and education programs to incorporate nutrition, physical activity and screen time into their programs.
  2. My Plate, Your Place: all municipal and county buildings that serve food must display the MyPlate visual poster.
  3. Smart Servings for Students: an increased promotion for participation in school breakfast and lunch programs.
  4. Model Food Service: all municipal and county buildings that serve food are to implement healthy and sustainable food guidelines.
  5. Active Kids at Play:  to create an action plan that will launch three proven policies, programs or initiatives to increase play.  

As Michelle Obama said, fighting childhood obesity is not only important because unhealthy children “miss more days at school,” but because fighting childhood obesity will also save the U.S. “tens of millions of dollars in health-care costs.” Saving lives and saving money is a crucial and very remarkable inspiration for the Kids Food Festival! So, if you’re a town or city official, please support the Let’s Move campaign and pledge to help fight childhood obesity in your town/city. And if you’re a concerned parent or citizen please tell your representative that you would love to see your town/city get involved in this imperative cause.

If you are in the NYC area, join us November 3rd and 4th, at Citi Pond at Bryant Park, for the Kids Food Festival, in partnership with Cooking Light, and pledge your commitment!

Interested officials can sign-up for the initiative at www.healthycommunitieshealthyfuture.org.

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