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Friday, February 12, 2010

We're Ready to 'Move' on the First Lady's Childhood Obesity Initiative Page 3

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I think it is great that the First Lady is challenging America to eat better. I tried with my children when they were young. (They are now 26 and 27) It was great until they started school – then it was OK because they went to a private Christian school – then it was awful went to Public School. At that time, they had vending machines in the Jr. High School, and in the snack bar they had pizza, candy, chips, etc.
I always made sure my boys got their breakfast every morning. I still tell them today they need fuel to get going in the mornings.

My youngest son would not eat lunch until Fridays, so he could get a bigger slice(s) of pizza. He was always a picky eater.

My oldest son and his wife go through the drive-thru on almost a daily basis and feed my grandchildren all that junk. Some days I want to cry, but I try to encourage the kids to at least eat more fruit and vegetables. Although they use a lot of Ranch, they love most fresh vegetables.

The government has been working to revamp America’s diet to include nutrition and exercise, but the First Lady is taking it to a new level in overall awareness.
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The "government" is *us* and it's great to see *us* rally around issues other than needless wars and instead focus on something that is actually helpful and good.

All First Ladies pick an issue to advocate and this is the one Michelle Obama has chosen. Kudos to her and I wish her all the best with it.

Lord knows our children are in a mess physically and private industry has made a LOT of money by putting junk on the shelves filled with all kinds of unhealthy ingredients.

Meanwhile, because of 8 years of slash and burn economic and tax policies, physical education programs are all but non-existent in our schools. We have had a "government" focused on being selfish, greedy and focused on the richest 1%.

Time for a change. Our children deserve better.

I am very happy our First Lady is focusing on this. She is a great, healthy, beautiful role model. Like-minded people will be inspired to do better. Un-like-minded people will do whatever it is they do. That's just how it goes in life, and always has.
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I agree that school lunches need an overhaul. However, there are a large percentage of children who do not get meals at home, and parents are not around or taking time to teach children about nutrition. School lunches are higher in fat, but made economically. So, let's start with the focus on families. How about mandatory drug testing for those who get government aid; food stamps, etc....
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Thank you First Lady Obama! Both school lunches and fitness education need an overhaul. We banned school lunches in our home 2 years ago. We follow a couple very simple food rules from Michael Pollan: 1) If you can't see it growing or standing in a field then don't eat it (we added swimming in water nearby, to this); 2) If a 3rd grader can't pronounce the ingredients then don't eat it; and 3) Only eat food with 5 ingredients or fewer. These have certainly helped our family.

Having a united front where obesity is addressed at home and in the schools is a great idea!
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Although it is ultimately the parents' responsibility, it does effect every one of us. Obese children become obese adults with serious health problems. An overweight society places a burden on every back within that community, think higher health care costs, benefits for those unable to work due to poor health, and early deaths among the working class. It has to stop somewhere, and sometimes it DOES take a village to raise a child. No, it will not help everyone, but even if it helps just a few, aren't those children worth the effort? Should we really sit back and do nothing while this country gets sicker and fatter? I for one, am fully behind our First Lady with this initiative.
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OMG! With all that's going on in the United States she can't find something more urgent to occupy her time? Moooooooore tax dollars wasted!
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Vallough is so right. Please don't let politics get in the way here. There are so many children at free/reduce lunch levels in the United States. Some of these kids only meals are those they get at school.
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I think what michelle obama is doing is great!
but I am not a parent yet. but I am going to still
continue what i am doing so that i can be a good example
to my 4 month old nephew.
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For those of you who think that all health and nutritional information should be learned at home or who think the government doesn't need to stick its hands in the eating habits of American youths, think again. Millions of children across the country qualify for government subsidized free meal programs that are provided at schools. So for all of those parents who have the time and money to pack a healthy lunch for their child and fix him a healthy breakfast, there's at least one child who is relying on their school's meal program for the majority of his nutrition. By prioritizing healthy food, healthy eating habits and exercise in children, the government WILL be able to make a real difference, simply by changing the menus at school and amping up existing health and fitness programs, like the Presidential Fitness Award and a school's health class. We DO have a true hunger issue in this country, and poor nutrition DOES negatively affect students' ability to perform well in school and in life. Don't let your politics get in the way of a child's ability to be healthy and successful. Education and health are beautiful things and everyone across the country should be given the same opportunities and correct information-- at base, children should not be the victim of food and lifestyle choices made FOR them and Mrs. Obama's plan seems to offer something promising for the development of good food habits.
My daughter started using the WII Fit Plus because she saw me doing it. She is ADHD and it is actually helping in her learn to focus and the amazing thing is it's helping her cordination. I keep a lot more fresh fruit and vegies in the house and my daughter prefers both of them fresh so she is eating better and trying more things because of my example. Knock on wood she has her daddy's metabolism so she won't be one to get obese.
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great blog. i think it should start at home but you really need to pay attention to the high schools because i work in one and we sell diet drinks but we also sell french fries and chicken that was fried.the control in the elementary school are good but high schools not so good
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The children learn from others and their parents should be more "with it" regarding what their children eat--not so much fast food
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Until parents set a good example, there will continue to be childhood obesity. I think it is good for the government to help people know what healthy eating and exercise are, but putting so much attention on children may end up back-firing. Children and teens already have weight issues on both ends of the spectrum - from obesity to anorexia. Many of these stem from self-esteem issues that start at home. Until parents break bad habits learned from their parents, nothing will change.
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Amazing to learn about being overweight. Not much more to be obese.
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The hospital in Logansport IN is working with the schools to reduce student BMI. They have a contest going between the schools to lower their overall BMI during the school year, and the winning school receives $10,000 from a local charitable trust. This really helps motivate the school teachers and administration to make it a priority, especially now that budgets are so very tight. It's really cool!!
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I thought the fight on obesity in general (adults and children alike) was first started by Bill Clinton when the press would tape him going for a run every morning? I don't see how the First Lady's move here is really anything new or novel. If people are going to take responsibility for how their children develop and grow, they will, otherwise, no amount of government spoon-feeding will be a solution to obesity. As well, if children have no interest in needing to be thin so long as they are happy, they are going to negate any efforts anyone (ESPECIALLY non-parental authorities) imposes on them, regardless if it's "good for them" or not.

Government actions in the lives of private citizens with regard to weight-loss is NOT the answer.
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I don't think anything harms in moderation - in other words, if people can be re-educated about eating habits and learn that a little bit of what they fancy won't harm rather than depriving themselves which makes them want a certain food more, and that eating healthily and taking exercise should be a way of life and not 'just after christmas' then hopefully we will be on the right track to banishing obesity.

I do believe that children gain their eating habits by watching their parents - lets face it, we teach them almost everything else so why wouldn't they pick this up too! - though obviously there are outside influences like school and adverts on the television to name a few. But if we as parents can teach them how to eat correctly and have a healthy lifestyle, hopefully their futures will be much brighter.
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Bringing attention to the issue does help. I agree that healthy habits are taught in the home. Personal responsibility is also an important lesson to learn!
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This is a positive position for anyone in the White House to take...regardless of party affiliation. Being an educator, parent and grandparent, I am aware that many schools/ communities are missing the point of gym classes. Gym, in most communities, has changed little in the last 40 years! Exercise is the point of gym class. Exercise is personal and totally dependent on what the individual is capable of doing. Gym classes need to be individualized...with many options...so that each student can be working on improving their physical stamina and develop positive life-long patterns of fitness. Thanks to Michelle for stepping up...and using her presence to draw attention to the issue.
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Michelle Obama's influence on healthy eating, exercising, and good nutrition as part of school lunches will make an impact. This lady continues to impress me by being a spokesman for a national problem---focusing on what we can and should be doing to fight obesity.

I am not a fan of the Obama's but I agree with Chris Downie, regardless of my political affiliation, I support the First Lady in using her position of influence to continue to raise awareness of this very serious issue and put the spotlight on it more. However, please, please, please do not create a new government program full of bureaucrats that uses tax $ we do not have - there are enough private organizations, like Spark People, who can do the job of education and assistance and tackle the issue so much more effectively. Private enterprise ALWAYS trumps any government program.
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Obesity has become a very serious problem and it is spreading around the world. I currently live overseas in the Middle East and see first-hand the effect American fast foods and processed foods are having here. It's no wonder they have hospitals entirely dedicated to diabetes patients. If you ask me, the more influential people, such as First Lady Michelle Obama, we can get involved, the better. My brother -in-law works for a company that runs cafeterias and restaurants around the world. He was telling me that highest budget for foods per person (at around 98 cents per day) in any government institution was in prisons. Guess where the lowest budget is (at I believe less than 50 cents per day)?? Public schools! Yes, ladies and gentlemen, prisoners are eating better than our children! That is beyond sickening to me. It's not hard to realize that things are beyond backwards in our country. Praise to all of you who work everyday for your yourself and your family to become a healthier version of yourself. Take a stand at your children's schools and at home to make sure they are getting the healthiest and best life possible. Every little bit helps!
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i absolutely agree with lola551. healthy children are everyone's responsibility. an old African proverb says that children belong to the community and not to the parents. whether you have kids or not, this is a worthwhile cause, and its not limited to just America. childhood obesity is all over the world and it has to do with our lifestyle. eating out, packaged meals, soft drinks all day long, no exercise,etc. we really need to spread the spark so that more peoples lives can be changed
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One big need I see for families is on "visitation" weekends in divorced families. The parent and kids need a place to go or a place to be that would involve some movement and some healthy meals at no or low cost.
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So sad that so many people react with partisanship rather than appreciating the healthy changes that might occur. When Laura Bush announced her cause was going to be education and reading, and teamed up with the Library of Congress to promote the National Book Festival, do you suppose any discouraged her? Did people worry that she taking away their choices to read, do you think? I doubt it.

Michelle Obama is a smart, energetic person. Childhood obesity is a serious problem. It's good to have smart, energetic people focus their talents on serious problems.
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I personally think we are loosing our freedom of choice. Yes, there is a lot of obesity in the country,but does the government have to get involved in all the problems of the general public. What happened to being accountable for our own actions.
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My granddaughters love to exercise with me. They watch and then mimic what ever exercise I am doing. I praise them for their efforts. It is great to teach by example. When they are with me, I truly believe they eat better too because there is no junk food in my home.
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A great blog- thanks!
Our First Lady has so much class- ad she has great things to say!
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I don't know if there is a simple answer to this problem. There are so many levels...like an onion that you keep peeling.

I would like to be so bold and say that all these hours that the children sit in front of video games, computers, etc. has got to be part of the problem. When was the last time these children actually went outside to play..or had chores to do that worked off the calories?
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I see my kids eat 'til they're full, then leave, and feel incredibly blessed. (I don't understand 'em, but I know I'm blessed!)

This is a great START. But (sorry, polemic ahead), until CORPORATE America starts believing that it's long-terms strategy is to give people HEALTHY food instead of CHEAP food, not much will change. Advertising targets the vulnerable to purchase the highest profit items. We've got to give corporations the same set of morals folks seem to espouse to having in order to turn the tide on obesity.
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YES Everything has a domino effect healthier kids, stronger future, great generation....
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Should the government really be involved with this at all with everything else going on? REally!
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How about bringing back real Health Education classes along with Home Economics. With all the cutbacks in education and teaching to some test (depending on your state) classes that don't relate to the test are first cut. But, teaching out students to cook healthy easy meals, the ABCs of good nutrition, healthy exercising and good general healthy life practices. Invest in trained teachers with a solid background in nutrition and health education and not just physical education. Ensure that they are up to date on their own education with regular continuing education.

I've worked in the schools and ran groups and made it a point to take a student to go shopping for snacks. Snacks consisted of fruits, whole grain breads and other healthy items. Off list were cookies, cakes, chips and the student had to make the decision based on lables. They had to try something different they never had before and to introduce it to the rest of the group. One chose red pears and everyone in the group frown and didn't want to try them until one by one they did take one, later it turned out that these students were buying more red pears as it was their favorite pear. I learned how important it is to expose students to new items. Introducing vegetables that can be eaten raw with creative homemade dips. Let's see how that goes.
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Tackling childhood obesity has to be done at so many levels. Parents and families have to make the commitment to living a healthy lifestyle. Parents and grandparents have to be the models that children follow.

Schools have an obligation to provide healthy breakfasts, lunches and plenty of opportunity for children to be active every day. Health education can begin at an early age within schools as a part of science and health classes.

And at a government level (yes, it has to take a role as well), there have to be incentives for stores to locate in neighborhoods so as to provide communities with fresh wholesome food. Farmers' markets may need some type of assistance to get started in lower income neighborhoods. Unfortunately, there are many people who do not have easy access to well stocked grocery stores. Yes Virginia! It's true! If you don't believe me, research Avondale, a neighborhood in Cincinnati. The only neighborhood grocery chain store closed in the Avondale Town Center about 2 years ago.

Many of us take for granted that healthy food is readily available. Many of us take for granted our knowledge about food, exercise, and their impact on health.

As someone else wrote, we've made inroads into educating the public on the dangers of cigarettes, SIDS, HIV/AIDS, and any number of other health issues. It's no different with childhood/adult obesity.

We also have to make sure that people have access to information about living a healthy lifestyle.
54
Tackling childhood obesity has to be done at so many levels. Parents and families have to make the commitment to living a healthy lifestyle. Parents and grandparents have to be the models that children follow.

Schools have an obligation to provide healthy breakfasts, lunches and plenty of opportunity for children to be active every day. Health education can begin at an early age within schools as a part of science and health classes.

And at a government level (yes, it has to take a role as well), there have to be incentives for stores to locate in neighborhoods so as to provide communities with fresh wholesome food. Farmers' markets may need some type of assistance to get started in lower income neighborhoods. Unfortunately, there are many people who do not have easy access to well stocked grocery stores. Yes Virginia! It's true! If you don't believe me, research Avondale, a neighborhood in Cincinnati. The only neighborhood grocery chain store closed in the Avondale Town Center about 2 years ago.

Many of us take for granted that healthy food is readily available. Many of us take for granted our knowledge about food, exercise, and their impact on health.

As someone else wrote, we've made inroads into educating the public on the dangers of cigarettes, SIDS, HIV/AIDS, and any number of other health issues. It's no different with childhood/adult obesity.

We also have to make sure that people have access to information about living a healthy lifestyle.
53
The problem IS awareness for some; the problem IS laziness for some; and there are a multitude of other reasons for others...there is NEVER one reason our society is the way it is...if the initiative will help one or one million then it has done its job. Good grief...
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Wow, looked how ripped she is! I love that our government officials are committed to health, I think people really oversimplify the matter by chalking it up to ''bad choices'' of an individual. If you've got one person with a problem, you've got an individual problem. But when you have national trends, patterns and statistical data that indicate a significant change over time, it is silly not to acknowledge something is going on with the environment. Read ''The End of Overeating'' if you want a neuropsychological understanding of overeating as well as a deeper understanding of how our culture exploits our biological instinct to eat sweets and fat. People CAN make choices to change, but the way our society is structured can have a tremendous impact on creating incentives for making the right choices.
51

I think raising public awareness and providing education is a good step. Such initiatives in the past have placed SIDS at the forefront of public education- remember the back to sleep campaigns reminding to place infants on their backs? Handwashing for H1N1 was another. Ultimately the foods parents give their children is an individual choice, but it should be an educated choice.
50
Turn off the tv, video games, and the computer. How about good old fashioned playing outside?
49

Are we really going to sit back and let other people take what should be our responsibility? How sad.

I don't care if it's President Bush's wife, President Obama's wife, or President Clinton's wife.
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It's up to us, the parents. I don't care what anybody says. It starts in the home. Our children will learn healthy eating habits from us. When I was in school (over 10 years ago) we brown bagged it. It's that simple.

It doesn't take a village to raise a child. It takes PARENTS to raise a child.
47
I am reading all the government bashing on this blog and I don't like what I am reading. It's so sad to me that The First Lady Obama (no one ever refers to her title) is actually trying to raise awareness on CHILDHOOD OBESITY. I know that this is the responsibility of the parent and the choices that a parent makes for their child and what the parent feeds the child. Also the ability of the parent to say NO when the child is wanting junk food.

I guess that I would expect an anti-government individual to be totally against what The First Lady Obama is launching but come on PEOPLE it's a positive initiative!!
46
Our school system has made many changes and offer very healthy food. It's not mandatory to eat food provided by the school and more kids bring their own lunches or don't eat at all. So I'm not sure the gov't is going to do any good. It's easy to talk about these things, but with schools struggling financially, the gov't should be offering extra aid via money for schools to make these healthy changes. Too many times the gov't offers more money, but the schools never see it.
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I was an overweight child. Not only did other children make fun of me but at times I would overhear adults making cruel remarks. I'll never forget hearing one woman say I'm sure glad my granddaughter doesn't look like that. My bioligical child was overweight too. He is still overweight as an adult. We have both struggled all of our lives with weight issues. My husband and I adopted 3 children. Luckily they have not had any weight problems. Their biological mother was thin but the biological father wasn't. Luckily they all get a lot of exercise. We bought them a Wii for Christmas to keep them more active in the winter. I fix healthier dishes now. Sometimes the kids will eat them but other times they won't. The oldest will eat a lot more things then the 2 younger ones.
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I agree with those who have said that we resent the government stepping in, but yet, we've done a horrible job on our own in trying to fight childhood obesity. There is no simple solution to this. But what the First Lady is doing is a start and I applaud her for doing this.

The First Lady is not the government. The First Lady is the wife of the President.

There are things that the government can do that are not intrusive on our personal lives to help with this problem. As others have mentioned, the federal government subsidizes the school lunch programs. Since they are spending money (our money) to the schools, why can't they mandate that the schools spend "our" money on healthy food? Corn is subsidized heavily, which makes things like high fructose corn syrup cheap to produce. Why can't the federal govt. subsidize fresh produce instead of corn?
43

wow, quite a difference on opinions here. While nobody wants more "government" or "spending". I don't really think that this is really MORE government...just taking charge of what is already out there. The school lunch programs are already funded, but we see where that goes to...junk food. My son's grade school offers fairly good lunches, and has a salad bar most days to make sure the kids are offered veggies/fruit, etc. However, I know that this is not the case in many schools, and that is where there needs to be some intervention. All schools should consistently offer healthy lunches to their students, and the day care centers (federally or personally funded) should offer healthy snacks. This should be a no-brainer, but obviously it's not...so if we need oversight on these issues, I'm all for it. If it means that kids get at least ONE healthy meal a day, great. It's up to the parents to take care of the other meals, but hopefully, with a little education, the kids will start ASKING for better meals at home also. I think we've probably all noticed that since we've started on SP...the better you eat, the better you want to eat.
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I live in an area blessed with a multitude of open parks, great trails. The homes in my neighborhood have nice sized lots as well. I know there are children living here in my development. I see them getting off school buses. I very rarely see children in the parks or on the trails. The children I do see who are in the parks are under 10 and are accompanied by the families and there are not that many families in the parks. I can count on one hand out of all of the homes here where I ever actually see children playing outside. On the trails which are wide and nice for bikes, I can say I have seen two boys on three occasions riding this past year. I mostly see a few runners or some folks walking their dogs.

My husband and I comment frequently “Where are the children?” When we were growing up, we were always outside playing and going to the parks. We had a healthy breakfast at home; a healthy packed lunch for school, a healthy snack after school, dinner along with dessert at home and then the kitchen was closed for snacking; except for drinks such as milk, juice, etc. I believe that a child’s healthy lifestyle begins in the home and is the responsibility of the parent.
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I love the idea. I can't see anything wrong with serving healthier foods in the schools and a little more Physical Ed. Yeah! for Michelle Obama.
40
I hope this program works but I have my doubts. Guess I'm a tad concerned ketchup might be designated a serving of vegetables again.
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I personally think no amount of government "help" is going to help the obesity problem in America. It is already extremely easy for people to use free online resources (either at home or the library), go outside for a walk, check out health/fitness books at a library, etc... I don't believe the problem is awareness, the problem is laziness. Our society has placed more importance on watching x,y, or z TV show and less importance on getting outside to walk or take a bike ride. Parents claim "busyness" is preventing them from making meals at home. What is preventing them from making meals at home is their lack of planning and motivation to put healthy meals on their priority list.
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I'm not expecting our elected officials to save me from myself. Knowledge is power. Before I found SparkPeople, I thought I was eating a balanced diet; through the Nutrition Tracker, I have re-educated myself. Since when is education and re-education of healthy living not part of responsible oversight of those in charge, be they parents, school officials, or elected officials?

I would hope a healthy living education program would empower people with the knowledge and motivation needed to move forward and take charge of their own success.
37
What's wrong with some of you. Take charge of your lives. I am not waiting for anyone from the federal govt to save me from myself. You are responsible for you and yours. We are bombarded everyday with info on health and fitness, and have been for years. Take advantage of it. When you let govt take your private property (ie your money) for a "noble cause" you lose just a little more of your freedom and liberty. Frankly I have had enough of these do gooders telling us how to live when they can't even manage their own affairs. Sparkpeople has really helped my get my diet under control, it totally free and NOT a govt program. Glad to get that off my chest. Have a good day. I tried on a sleeveless dress that couldn't wear 20 pds ago and Michelle isn't the only one with great arms, and I am older than her. It just not that unique.
36
Agree with Jenniferboggess. We spend more Federal dollars than ever on pre, post and during school food programs, not to mention food stamps and welfare dollars, but now our kids are to Fat? Give me a break. This stuff starts at home and LOCAL communities and organizations. As we are learning on sparkpeople, it not that hard. The old program of move more and eat less works great. How about more emphasis on PE and sports and less on feeding everyone. Has anyone really thought we had a true hunger issue in this country
35
I myself am a victim of childhood obesity and so are all but one of my sisters out of 5 of us. At 28 I am just now starting to get a handle on the weight problem I have had all my life. I am glad that I am raising my kids in a healthy household so they dont have to deal with all the problems I did because of childhood obeseity.

Im happy that the government is stepping up and trying to correct this problem expecially within the school system. Kids spend the majority of their time in school and with unhealthy lunches, vending machines and little activity its harder for kids to have a healthy lifestyle.

My kids are not in elementary school yet but when they do attend I hope that the problems public schools have been solved. If not I will be packing my kids lunches and trying to make sure they get enough activity outside of school... I geuss thats all you can do.
34
The obesity rates are staggering. I would like to think that the government would actually help, but what about all the different issues on hand and they can't manage those. There is talk about cutting special programs, yet they can find money for this? What about Social Security? I don't think I need to go on.
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First of all: Someone at SP PLEASE EDIT the third paragraph. The East Wing cannot speak....

Second: This is great. I'm so happy that Mrs.Obama is tackling this problem! But, I'm a little leery as to how long it will take to implement these changes. Government always seems to make things more difficult than they need to be. I'm hoping some changes will take place this year, not two or three years from now!
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As an overweight adult I know how hard it is sometimes to be confident enough to do some of the things I need to know. Kids already have so much going against them these days. Other kids are cruel. It really handicaps a child to be the object of vicious name calling and ridicule. Anything we can do to help children feel confident enough to do better in school and ultimately in life we should certainly do. Yes, Ms Obama this is a very worthy cause.
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Yay, Michelle Obama! What a noble cause to be fighting for, and one that has been long overlooked. I know a lot of you are skeptical about government programs, but consider all the great things (the lives that will be positively influenced) that will come about because of good ones like this!
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I'm glad that our First Lady is starting this initiative. It will give parents,schools, and girls and boys clubs a framework and resource for helping the children in their care and influence.
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I applaud the First Lady for taking on this initiative. It's important that parents stress the importance of nutrition and fitness as it does begin at home. All schools should have mandatory, school year-round physical education with real physical activities, not cup stacking or checkers.

@ MERRYGRANDMA:
I couldn't agree more! Frankly, I don't believe the government should be providing school lunches for students - it's another example of a welfare program as parents should be taking care of their children 100%!!! However, since school lunches are provided by the government, why haven't they been providing nutritious food from the beginning? Right now, they are providing food no better than what one would get through a drive-thru.

As long as We the People continue to tolerate food company lobbyists putting money in the politicians' pockets, allowing them to create mal-nutritious, chemical-laden, genetically modified food, then the obesity rates will remain unchanged or get worse, in my opinion.
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I'm glad that FLOTUS is stepping up and saying something about this issue. It's funny that the very people who want government out of healthcare are not realizing that government HAS TO be involved in the health and safety of its citizens. People who are overweight have health issues--expensive ones--that cost all of us lots of money. Overweight kids whose parents don't have healthcare grow up to be overweight adults who have high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease (many with little or no insurance to cover the costs). Like it or not, it's all of our responsibilities (including that of the government) to break the cycle and get our population healthy again. Think of the costs (a weaker work force, less efficient working class) that come with obesity. Those costs effect all of us. I hope parents step up to the plate, start cooking healthy meals at home instead of buying fast food, teach their kids healthy eating habits, and encourage their children to play sports/remain active instead of watch tv and play video games. If it takes the first lady to motivate people and show them how important a healthy weight is for their children, then I'm glad she's doing it!
27

I think this is a wonderful idea!!
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I'm GLAD Michele Obama is stepping in on this initiative! What better role model. She's already done so much planting her veggie garden and look how many people copied that idea. She's young, in great shape herself and enthusiastic about changing the circumstances. It won't happen over night but as a few people posted here - we obviously haven't done enough on our own. Let's give the government a break! I would also like to say that kids need to get more physical activities back at schools. They have so much energy and yet play times, fresh air and recess' are all taken up by test preps, etc. Letting them run off energy more often not only allows for physical activity but may minimize a lot of other things like adhd, etc.
25
I went through a divorce when my son was 3 years old. After that, I became obese and so did he. He and I have both struggled together over the years trying to get in control of our eating and exercise. Everything I did, he tried. (Bless his heart). He even tried counting weight watchers points and journaling when he was 7. Not because I asked him to, but because he saw me doing it.

He's 15 now and finally got his weight under control. I am still overweight, but no longer considered obese (thanks SP!). We always talk about healthy food options and I continue to role model good exercise habits.

Teens don't always have the most healthy habits, but we have learned a lot together and I'm really proud of him.
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I agree that parents need to be educated first-- they have (or should have) the ultimate control on their children's diets. I'm a big fan of Jamie Oliver's Dinner Revolution which focuses on easy to make, healthy meals in place of the take away so many people eat on a regular basis. I've tried many of the recipes and they're delish!
23
I applaud our First Lady for making this her choice of helping to improve America's health, especially the children. Both she & our President are doing the best they can, with what they have to work with..and AGAINST! Change can never happen..if it isn't given the chance to even take root!! My State is horrible, when it comes to health care coverage, and always has been. So I don't care WHO takes over in fixing it, as long as they do something BETTER, than what it is, now! :)
22
One thing that concerns me about children's nutrition is so very few adults know how to prepare a healthy meal from scratch. Preparing our own meals, rather than relying on packaged foods and restaurants, puts us in control of what goes into our bodies.

As a grandparent, shared time includes cooking healthy meals together. They learn how to cook, learn how to measure, learn what constitutes a healthy meal.

I also refuse to have candies, soft drinks and other unhealthy treats in the house. I stock homemade healthy treats and offer water, herbal teas and fruit juices to our 8 grandkids.

Healthy children are EVERYONE'S responsibility.
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 As far as talking about and urging people to get serious about the problem and illustrating the importance I am in her corner. When those aims become government action with mandates (they have not yet be I suspect that is phase two) I will no longer be in her corner. Government mandates will not help the obesity problem whether in children or adult. Individual parents making different decisions will help, not a grand nanny state telling us how we must feed our children.
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I just blogged on this topic right before I saw this DailySpark post! I am so excited to see SP really jumping in on this issue. I am just beginning to dig into the elements of my own experience as an obese child and I am excited about delving deeper and to "get moving" with this important national discussion. Here's my first blog on the topic: http://www.sparkpeople.com/mypage_public_journal_individual.asp?blog_id=2861048
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If we want to help decrease childhood obesity, we need to educate the parents first. We know that statistically speaking, an obese child probably has one or both parents who are also overweight. Parents are the first line of defense. Teach children healthy eating habits. Will a child go for the junk food ? Yes. Kids learn from their adults. If the parents are eating junk, then why should they have to eat their veggies ?

Healthy eating should be something that impacts the entire family, not just the kids. As I said, children learn to eat from their parents. If the parent is a healthy eater, in theory, the child should be too. Will they sneak junk ? yes and that's a bad thing. a child should never feel a need to sneak food behind their parents backs. All things in moderation. Teach the child good habits, but allow them to be kids too. Don't expect them to eat like adults. they do have different taste buds than we do.

Personally, while I think it's childhood obesity should be address, let's address the reasons. How about the prevalence of fast food joints ? When I was a kid there was maybe one McDonalds. now, they are everywhere. If it's not McDonalds, it's someone else peddling fast, unhealthy food.

How about the cost of healthy food ? If the parents can't afford to put fresh fruits and veggies on the table, then what ? how about making the cost of healthy food something everyone can afford and not just the affluent.

Let's get physical education back in the schools and yes, that means getting schools more money to fund physical education as well as healthy lunches. Too many schools rely on fast food because the fast food chains provide the schools with money they are desperate for. Get junk food out of the schools.

Get children away from computer and video games. Get them to read more. Get them to go outside and play. get them to socially interact with other children. let them use their imaginations. As my mom used to say to me,"go outside and play". Kids don't play anymore. Not like when I was a kid, back in the Dark Ages. LOL !!!

No, there is no one single cause of childhood obesity. it's a whole bunch of problems that need to be addressed. I appreciate that Michelle Obama is focusing the spotlight on this problem. Hopefully, more people will be interested and will help.
 
I agree with . Keep the government out of our healthcare.
What is stopping businesses and governments from offering healthier choices now? What is stopping people from making healthier choices now? It's all about choice-personal choice, not government involvement.
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I am so excited that Michelle is taking such a proactive stance on this issue! I know that many of us are concerned about the government becoming so involved in our lives, and I respect that greatly. Unfortunately, those of us who do try to take care of our health and the health of our families are a minority--a large one, mind you, but still a minority. There has been a lack of adequate health education in schools for sometime, and it is often not reinforced at home because the parents aren't educated about nutrition or fitness, either. I support greater involvement of our government in our nutritional welfare for that simple reason. Just because we are lucky enough to have learned (or be learning) about how to take care of ourselves doesn't mean that everyone in America is learning, as well, or even are aware that they NEED to learn. Federal government backing of the obesity issue will help to raise that awareness and motivate people to discover how to help themselves.
16
Every first lady since I was born, at least, has had a project or cause. Some of them involved government cooperation (Lady Bird and beautifying the highways comes to mind), some didn't. This, to me, builds on the "President's fitness program", which I remember participating in 7th grade, so it's been around for a while. I applaud the First Lady for taking on this cause. BTW, it's kind of interesting to see people getting worried that Michelle Obama talking about childhood obesity is violating their rights, while having no problem with an employer rewarding workers for being thin. That's just a little weird.
15
The school systems need to bring real P.E back to schools! I was appalled, when walking at a local park one day, when the middle school kids came over (the school used that park for PE) across a field, and most of the kids just sat down on the grass and chatted for the entire 45 minutes! The coach/teacher said nothing... but I guess she was too busy sitting in her chair. That was their PE period. My kids say their schools don't really do anything very active at PE either.
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Ours is a government of the people, by the people and for the people. WE all partake in the governing of these United States. Who better than the First Spouse and First Parent to lead the battle cry against unhealthy eating and slothful habits? She has a national spotlight and is using it to promote good health. I did not vote for President Obama AND I give three cheers to Mrs. Obama for being the point person for leading the way to healthier living. I'm behind you all the way Michelle!!
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I am SO happy that our First Lady has chosen to shine a light on the roots of the problem that brought so many of us to SparkPeople: childhood obesity is where it began for SO many of us...

And more: How HAWT is Michelle?!

Ra-ow-ow-wer!
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I agree Magra, we haven't been doing such a great job on our own...hence the rise in obesity among Americans in general. Having the first lady support such a cause is fantastic. Most first ladies have taken up a cause of some sort such as literacy for example. And since our government is and always has been involved in setting nutrition and physical fitness guidelines (remember when Arnold was the Chairman of the President's Council on physical fitness), this should not come as some sort of government "meddling" to people. People should just chill and accept any help from anywhere if it means fighting childhood obesity.
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I really like that this plan is going to unite governments, businesses, nonprofits and everyday people!
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I'm all for doing this ourselves and not having it come from a government program, but clearly we haven't been doing it ourselves. Perhaps our aim should be to work toward not needing a government program to highlight the problem?
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Since most school lunch programs use government surplus ingredients, the government should only supply healthy foods to these programs. The lunches at the schools in our town give kids their entire days calories, and then they get snacks on top of that.
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I agree that it's hard to let government get involved with everything but we haven't been doing a good job on our own. The one area I think they should be involved in is food regulation and labeling guidelines. Give us the truth, clean up our food sources- then let us make our own decisions from there.
7
I am amazed at how many people blame their government when they don't like something about life or society and then get mad when the government tries to do something about it because they are "too involved".

everyone needs to step up - families, individuals, corporations, non-profits, and yes - even government.

let's not forget who sets the policies for education - including physical education...and who controls what foods are in our schools. And who has the resources to help those living in poverty live a better, healthier life.
6
Several years ago I was PTA Pres at my daughter's school. Snacks were my main concern. As a group we decided to prove to parents that "my kids won't eat veges" was not true. It worked. The kids loved the radish roses, cucumber rings, carrot and celery sticks, etc. They were easy to eat, fun to see and colorful. The kids went home and asked for them at home. It was wonderful to watch.
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I agree with Jenniferboggess. Is there any possible way that we can keep politics, politicians and our government out of our health and fitness initiatives? A lot of us are more than tired of our government attempting to control every aspect of our lives from cradle to grave. Let's help each other and we can do a much better job on our own.
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I referred my daughter to Sparkteens. She loves it! I referred her not because she needs to lose weight, but to help teach her about nutrition and fitness. She is very excited about the site and has "Spread the Spark" to many of her friends. She was really happy to learn that she could look up her own school's lunch menu under the nutrition tracker! She began to realize that some things that she was choosing for lunch were not as bad as she might have thought, and that there was some food that she should just stay away from. I'm very happy to see her exploring the site on her own and learing something that didn't come from a "boring lecture from Mom". My other daughter is 5, and even she has made comments to me about how we should be adding a fruit or vegetable to lunch (if I haven't already). I was packing my lunch for work the other day and she said "Mommy, I think you should probably grab an apple or carrots to go with that!" Wow! pretty amazing to see the affect that this has on children!

If we could all pass the valuable information on to our own children, think of how many lives THEY could change!
3
It's a good start, but where and what is the long range plan? You can't just talk the talk.
2
Although I am also alarmed at the obesity rates in America and in the world, especially in children, I am not sure that the government is the proper vehicle for this kind of initiative.
1

We're Ready to 'Move' on the First Lady's Childhood Obesity Initiative Page2

Page1


These are comments from members of Sparkpeople I decided to not put names in so not to cause any problems.  These comments are terrific and really gives you a broad spectrum of the public....
I'm from the government and I'm here to help you. And that always works out       SO well......
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I have 2 children, 1 and 3 and they don't even know what the fast food logos are and I know that they are the exception Children tend to be the hearts of their parents; maybe in helping their kids they'll help themselves as well.
Children have a natural tendency to want to learn so we should be teaching them the basics of food groups, hydration and portion sizes. My kids steal veggies off my plate and my 3 year old can open the fridge: everything that is her eye and height level are fruits and veggies. We need to start at home.
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I don't have any children at home but I do like the idea of our nations children eating better which is why I have been a supporter of Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution for awhile. He believes that every child in America has the right to fresh, nutritious school meals. He was the recipiant of the 2010 TED prize for the same reasons. Jamie is also organising a petition for Americans to sign which he hopes to be able to take to President Obama. The petition is hosted on the Food Revolution website @ http://www.jamieoliver.com/campaign
s/jamies-food-revolution
if anyone is interested in checking it out.
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Someone else suggested "Spark Family". I totally agree! My kids have created SparkKids profiles, but just try to get them to track their food! Since I do cook a lot from scratch, it means inputing a recipe multiple times. I think that was the major factor in both of them not being very interested in the site.
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In a single week our school serves chicken rings, chicken nuggets, pizza, taco boat and hamburgers. Dining out in restaurants the kids choices are chicken nuggets, pizza, quesadillas, and cheeseburgers. It's not a surprise that 1 in 5 children are overweight or obese. I find our family has to struggle outside the home to find healthy choices. It's certainly helped cut our dining out budget because we'd rather make our own healthy choices at home. But I was proud one night at a local italian restaurant when my 8 year old daughter asked if I'd split an extra side order of grilled veggies with her. Our own habits begin to form in their heads and they can't help but adopt them.
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A good way to help is simply to buy healthy foods. The more we buy healthy foods, the more they will be marketed to us. Plain yogurts, non-sweetened soy milk, bags of beans, nonfat milk, fresh veggies and fruit, bags of frozen veggies with no salt added, etc. The healthy foods will be ordered and placed on the shelves in more prominent locations as we buy them more often. Shopping at the restaurants that provide sufficient calorie information, such as Subway, will provide incentives to their competitors to follow in suit and offer handy calorie count information on location.
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It costs more money to eat healthy food than it does to eat junk food. It also takes hard work, planning and preparation to eat healthy; and it costs money to educate children, their parents, the schools, etc. (And, many vending companies have sweetheart deals with the schools that help to pay for school budgets - adding yet another cost burden to this problem).
Spark People has figured out a way to provide FREE services to so many of us and it is incredibly valuable. I don't know how to replicate that to America's children and to build a bridge to Michelle Obama's initiative, but there must be a way to extend the genius behind SP to this very worthy cause.
I am so delighted that you are thinking about this and are asking for suggestions. Keep asking, analyzing and thinking outside-the-box and I know you will find a way.
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I already gave this site to a friend of mine who's daughter is a little heavy and wants to lose weight the right way and she loves it. This is truely a wonderful way for kids of all ages to learn to eat right and lose weight the healthy way.
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This is great. I love the idea of having a Spark page for kids. I'm glad to see so many supporters. Let's all join in and continue to spread the word!
159
I agree with several folks that I truly believe that it begins with the parents and what kind of example they lead and teach their children. I hope and pray that people actually use SP as a tool to help their families lead healthy lifestyles, children and adults.
158
This is great. As a teacher I made teaching children about healthy foods and healthy choices, and how good food makes you feel good.
As a mother I intend on advocating healthy school lunches when my son becomes school age.
I'm so thankful I have sparkpeople- I know the healthy habits I've learned here will hugely influence my family.
157
Rather ironical that on the same day I heard of the plan to conquer childhood obesity, I read about the many children in central Florida who are going hungry. What can be done?
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I think it's great that the First Lady is taking a strong interest in the country's children. I just hope that the interest is channeled in the most productive way. While schools need to be positive role models for our children by promoting healthy eating and exercise, it is what children do at home after school, on weekends, and through the summer that truly impacts their lifestyle.
Giving students their recesses back at school, improving the healthy food choices, and promoting active, healthy lifestyles is all important to the overall health of our children. Most importantly, family education with websites like Spark People will be instrumental to moving this nation toward a healthy future. I don't think it can be legislated or dictated from the government, but rather has to come from the children, their families, and the local communities.
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This is wonderful that Michelle Obama is putting childhood obesity at the top of her list. It upsets me when I see adults, let alone children so overweight. We as parents are to ensure our children are safe and healthy and do all that we can to take care of their every need. When I see obese children I think that the parent(s) should be charged with child abuse. I know this sounds harsh but look at the complications obesity causes. There are medical and psychological issues to be dealt with. Education should be mandated before people should be allowed to conceive children. I think if we made everyone go through a parenting course before conceiving, we could prevent a lot of the problems that exist today. I totally support this program.
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I love the Obamas! Thanks Michelle.
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Go Michelle!

I've always wondered, is it possible to track my whole families nutrition/excersise and see reports like I can for me? Like a SparkFamily kind of thing where you can enter all members of the family, or link friends together to get an overall view. For me I'm always wondering how much to give kids at certian stages in life. I love the tools on sparkpeople for that, but would love to do it at a glance and easier (like why enter in the same meal for 5 people?). Anyone have any tips on this?
152
I think this is a great initiative. It's up to the parents to set a good example, and also to make sure there kids get outside and play instead of sitting in front of the TV or computer screen. I know my parents just assumed we were going to go out and play unless it was pouring rain or snowing hard. We were seldom watched TV and computers weren't around. I'm sure the active play kept me thin until I started college and got less active.
151
I am so happy to see the First Lady take a stand on this issue. I wish we had some White House concern when my children were younger. Now that they are adults, like me, they are having issues with their weight and diet. To be THE Wealthiest Nation in the world, it's awful that we don't have a healthcare system designed in preventive care for all citizens regardless of their socio-economic backgrounds. What's even more tragic is that we have a system that allows millions to be without proper healthcare coverage including preventive and wellness programs. I hope that Mrs. Obama's initatives will start a trend that will change America's health culture. At least we are recognizing that our most valuable assets...our children...have our full attention on what they're eating, what's making them sick, and how they are exercising.
150
This is great and long overdue.
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It has to be as easy to grab an apple as it is to grab a twinkie. That means legitimately healthy options (not Froot Loops with the "Smart Choice" label) have to be as readily available to kids at home, school and the market AND these foods must be affordable. People in the US have been proportionally decreasing the percentage of income spent on food for the past 20 years. But it is a very difficult change to ask them to spend the extra money on the healthy food when the average income is also decreasing when adjusted for inflation. Now we add the recession into the mix and spending more money on smarter options becomes an even larger hurtle to over come. This problem is not just in the home, but can be expended to include the overall situation in available options at the school and local markets. It's a tragedy that has gone over-looked for too long. My hope is that at least awareness is increased, but more importantly, from that increase comes significant forward momentum to solving the obesity epidemic.
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Very good news!!
147
A much overdue and welcome initiative, and by investing in healthier bodies we promote healthier minds!
146
It will take money. Money to put together everything and hold it together, money to buy the healthier foods and money to support those cooking and serving it. Schools and children in America seem to be less and less important to those in office. Maybe, just maybe the First Lady can help those who want to be helped.
145
It is great news!
Lets support her.
144
While I agree that there are many overweight, inactive kids; I also have deep reservations about the means that the government will pursue to reach this worthy end.
If you have concerns about privacy related to the Global War on Terrorism, shouldn't you also have deep reservations about government peering too closely into your kitchen?
And having closely watched the debacle that is the CPSIA, where a poorly worded law was proposed to keep kids safe from lead in toys but left loopholes for the major manufacturers while creating testing burdens so heavy that many small businesses are cutting product lines or closing shop (even though the small companies weren't the source of problems in the first place).
The changes need to come from families and communities. Remember when kids played outside all summer? Remember when neighborhoods had sidewalks? Remember when you could play on the playground at recess?
I'm all in favor of those sorts of changes. But I cringe at the idea of the government inspecting lunch bags.
143
I think its a great program if it will work I see obese kids all day and teh parents are the fault with it I'm a cashier and yesterday a mother with her kids came and checked out $130 worth of candy ice cream cakes and cookies and nothing else but junk foood with her food stamps I son't see it really going to work with people like that.
142
During the National School Lunch Week (beginning of November) I had lunch with my kids at their schools. I have to say that I cook much better and even McDonald's has better nutrition choices than the kids eat in school. I am just so disappointed with that. The schools don't allow cupcakes for Birthdays or other Parties but then they give the kids meals that aren't any better than the snacks we wish we could bring in.

All my kids are under the obesity rate. They are active and love to be outdoors. One of the kids doctor actually told me that my son was too skinny and I should give him "fattening" foods like sodas, fries etc. Needless to say he is not the pediatrician of my kids anymore.....
141
First, I just love Michelle Obama. The more I hear her, and read about her, the more I believe she's the "real deal"

Lots of people here have written that this is too difficult of a problem to tackle. To that I say, remember where we were as a nation just a few years ago with smoking. Mrs. Obama has it right, get them when they are young. Kids may just teach their parents and other adults in their lives a thing or two.

Lastly, she can not do this alone. As a nation we have tackled some pretty difficult challenges. Who says we can't solve this problem too? Lets MOVE!! :-)
140
It is so refreshing to see an important issue like this on the radar of our politicians that doesn't have to be partisan! Support this issue because it's the right thing to do not because it is or isn't initiated by the political party of your choice! It may need tweaking, but it's a start in the right direction!
139
Stay positive and Let's Move. If it's you move, if it's your family members move, neighbors and co-worker move. It's healthy. Go First Lady!!
138
Having worked in an urban high school, I am not surprise that childhood obesity is such a big problem. Perhaps I'm glad it's not worse then stated considering what I've seen served during lunches. This is a major community issue and one that all sectors in our communities have to participate and make a commitment to work on together.

First, the lunches served in school need to improve greatly and offer better healthier choices. If over process foods is a problem why do schools continue to serve such items? How about serving appetizing salads that look fresh and not some anemic specimen. Serving whole grains, whole foods that can help students who have ADHD.

There was a time before funding cuts and teaching to the tests, that schools had Home Economics and learned to cook meals. I think this would be a great thing to bring back to schools. We can teach kids to cook healthier, the ABCs of nutrition and eating on a budget. These programs works. I ran a group during the summer in which we paired up with another program that provided local chefs to teach the students to cook. Not only did they bring healthy nutritious recipes but each student was given the raw ingredients to take home and cook for their families. They had a field trip to a farmers market and the local grocery store and we taught how to shop for fresh produce and how to read lables. A year later, some of the students were taking "risks" trying out new recipes and sharing it with their friends. It was exciting to see the small changes in their behavior.

Awareness is needed but we need education. Bring back good health and nutrition education to the schools. While we're at it, bring the same education to the parents. Invite them to school for a dinner prepared by their kids. We can't change everyone but an ounce of education and showing how easy it is might go a long way into developing good habits.
137
It doesn't matter whose fault it is or was. Whether you have children or not, whether you have obese children or not, whether your child never drinks soda or always drinks soda- you (yes, you) can make a difference in the health of our nation. Don't worry about where the blame lies or what the culprit is. Change yourself first.
Then call, write or email your legislators and your school officials and the local businesses and anyone else you can think of. Tell them you are interested in seeing healthier food options in schools and business cafeterias (at least in our state, the cafeteria options for state workers are deplorable!), no soda/junk food/vending machines in schools, more recess, more PE, volunteer to lead an after-school edible gardening club at your local school, if you are a business owner or a member of a local athletic group (Road Runners, a triathlon training team, a gym) sponsor a school "healthy kids challenge" (google the Sports Backers Healthy Kids Challenge where participating students agree to run 26 miles over the course of the challenge & can run their last mile at the annual Ukrops 10K Kids Mile), get your workplace to put together a team for a local race event & invite families to participate. Be creative. Be responsible- even if it's not immediately your problem, be part of the solution.
136
The healthier children and adults we have in this country , the less taxes spend on caring for them. Koodos to Michelle!
132
As great as all of this is, I have some other thoughts as well. How about returning Gym class and recess to our schools? How about making our parks and our neighborhoods safer for children to play in? It should not be up to our government to do this. Each one of us as a individual and as a member of our communities and our neighborhoods need to stand up and say enough is enough! MAke it safe and exciting for our kids to be outside playing and doing things. Take away the COmputers, the TV, the IPods, the MP3 players and so on, or at the very least make time with those things very limited. YES IT WILL BE TOUGH! It is also up to US as adults and parents to decide what our children eat. Don't buy the junk food, the soda, the candy etc. If you do make sure your child (ren) understand that it is a special treat,
While on the surface these programs look good and sound great, what is missing is the underlying cause of the issue. There isn't a hardcore look at child poverty, poor health, differences in classes and incomes, inner city to subrubs, farms that are packing up because there isn't the money and being foreclosed upon and forced migrations to cities simply to find work. There isn't a hardcore look at outsourcing jobs to other cheaper 3rd world countries and creating in its wake, low employment opportunities in the core country. There isn't a hardcore look at gender issues, inequality with pay, racism, living on reserve vs living off reserve (in terms of quality of life). There isn't a hardcore look at social issues that have brought this change about. There isn't a hardcore look at the changes that have occurred over the past 3 decades and what is occuring to create the changes. Its fine to say 'we will focus on children and make them healthy and thin', however, without a long term solution to the underlying issues, its all smoke'n'mirrors. (and yes Canada is dealing with these issues too)
135
i'm hoping that school lunches change. i work in a school and oh MAN, the lunch is terrible. tacos and fries is not a well balanced meal!
134
this is awesome! I think Michelle Obama is a beautiful, intelligent woman setting a very good example for moms (and moms to be) nationwide. I'm so glad that stamping out childhood obesity has been given such a broad, public spotlight. I would be very glad to help out in anyway possible. I'm behind her initiative!
133
not a routine food in the house. Go outside and play with your children, don't watch from the doorway! We can turn this epidemic around and it starts with one very important person...ME. (Yes you!)          131   
This is great. American's in general tend to overeat. We all need to learn to eat healthy & starting early is the best way. President Clinton also has a plan, saw him on Rachel Ray. We need to do this for our youngster's health.
130
I would love to see this from SparkPeople:

1. You have SparkPeople.com and SparkTeens.com. Why not make a SparkKids.com? It could be similar to www.millsberry.com , only do a lot more teaching about health, exercise and truly healthy foods!

2. Find a way to connect SparkPeople with SparkTeens. I could motivate my teens to use SparkTeens much better if I could connect their accounts with my account.

3. Work with legislation to take pop and junk food out of vending machines at school! And, of course, less fattening hot lunches. Fried foods are not necessary!
128
If the number of children on "free"/reduced school lunches is increasing, what does it say about our society? It says we would rather have someone else take care of us, like we are children all over again. Haven't you heard: there's no such thing as a free lunch and reduced lunches are paid out of tax payers' pockets.

Shouldn't we be focusing on fixing our society so that there are less children being born into households where there isn't enough to go around? If you chose to have children, be prepared to take care of them or don't have them at all!
127
As I finished reading this blog, one onf the questions caught my attention--"have you had childhood obesity touch your life?" Quite frankly, yes it has and still does. As a child I was never small, but during my pre-teen years my mother was sent to Saudi Arabia to fight in Desert Storm/Shield. While she was gone I didn't eat (for reasons I'd rather not go into). When my mom came home on emergency leave she was heartbroken because I had lost 40 pounds in 4 months. She sent me to live with my grandparents, whom I love dearly, but their reaction was a an old school southern favorite--"feed the child." So I ate, and ate, and ate, and ate, and--well you get the picture. I ate breakfast at home, went to school and ate breakfast again, ate a full school lunch and would purchase an extra portion of food, I would eat a snack when while doing my homework, eat two helpings of dinner and maybe another snack before bedtime. I continued eating this way for six months. During that time I gained over 80 pounds. So at the age of 13 I weighed about 200 pounds and was only 5' 3". For almost two decades after that, I suffered and fought with my weight and watched it get higher and higher. Now at 31, I have diabetes, high blood pressure, and gout. I had a maximum weight of 330 pounds and although I'm down to 285, I've still got a long way to go. It all goes back to that year in my life and I've been paying for it every since. As a result, I work extra hard to keep the same thing from happening to my daughter. I made sure that from birth she ate healthy foods, limited junk food, and she ate healthy portion sizes. It's working so far. I have an 8 year old that loves to drink water, eat fresh fruit and always finishes her vegetables. A couple of days ago, I asked her what she wanted for dinner. Her answer--"a salad"! I pray everyday that she continues with these good eating habits.
126
everyone can tell parents what to prepare their children to eat, but the grocery stores will have to make it affordable to everyone.. junk food and processed foods are more affordable to some people and that is what they buy.

also if Michelle Obama wants to get to the bottom of obesity she only needs to read the labels........ for HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP !!!!!!!!! It's not used in European countries and they have lower obesity rates. The U.S. rates went up when it was added to the foods here. The First Lady should start her own Lobbyist group to campaign against the food companies to remove it from our food products. I am glad however that she has joined in on President Bill Clintons fight against childhood obesity.
125
I applaud the First Lady for bringing this serious health issue to the forefront and making it a priority. Obviously, healthy eating habits starts at home. I would also challenge the schools and the food industry to follow suit.
124
I am excited about this intiative as a parent. While my two boys are at a healthy weight, it saddened me to a great extent seeing some of their friends at sport practices huffing and puffing and unable to enjoy playing their favorite sports. I think it will take the entire village to help out, but we are off to a great start:)
123
Join the newly minted "Let's Move!" Sparkteam!

http://www.sparkpeople.com/myspark/
groups_individual.asp?gid=40511
122
I am NOT a Michelle Obama fan at all. She has said things in the past that were real downers in my mind. HOWEVER, she is the second first lady to finally find a REAL CAUSE to campaign for....Mrs. Bush being the first with literacy, at least that I remember! But childhood obesity is so out of control, this is a DIRE need, far more than her husbands focus on chaning our health care! Our paper yesterday featured the effort of schools to remove JUNK food from schools, and for cafeterias to offer HEALTHY food. PROBLEM with all of this, is what these kids already are eating, and NOT willing to switch. I would have to say Michelle has her work cut out for her. This is one that is going to take MAJOR effort, and one we ALL need to work on together!!!! Let's help our kids get healthy!
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I was once one of those children that was plagued by childhood obesity. My mother being obsessed with diets and weight control put me on Weight Watchers when I was 10 years old. I soon learned that I ate when there was high stress in the family. I was put on blood pressure medicine at age 18. After my 1st marriage failed, I was placed on psychiatric medicine and gained more weight. By the time, I joined Sparkpeople I was at 314 but had gone much higher.


Wheather it was Bill Clinton or who, the point is the message is geting out to all of us and it is needed times are changing and not for the best. Good for the First Lady
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thank god for someone with some good sense. i saw a 82lb 4 year old on dr oz the other day that made me sick to my stomache. the mother said she just can't say no when her daughter wants high calorie snacks. this is child abuse with no excuse. i came from a eat eveything on your plate or die family and eat what i give you and shut up. although i suffered with being over weight all of my life i  never inflicted this on my daughter in fact i did the opposite. when she was a     baby i gave her watered down apple juice until she was five. she came home  from the sitter's and said "mom why does aunt laura's apple juice taste so  sweet? i loved it. i made most of her food and never forced her to eat anything . parents with obese children should be reported daily. given one warning to turn this around and if not report as child abuse. these children are innocent and can not speak for themse
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Connecting some dots.... I read an article in Time magazine (Why DNA isn't your destiny) about how overeating youth in Norway in the eighteen hundreds lived shorter lives and their children and children's children lived shorter lives. We need to address this issue because we are creating costs and heartache for future generations.
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It's really sad. I see small children all the time in the grocery store and their parents allow them to put junk in the cart. I know that we are an example for our children, but I think its great what Mrs Obama is doing because sometimes we can learn from our kids.

I would love to see more home ec classes in school. Also teaching the children gardening so they can see how to grow their own (fresh) foods. They also need to be more active in school (and home). Phys Ed is not what it used to be.

I think SP is doing a great job. Perhaps going into the schools show how Sparkpeople can help. Maybe having their own school spark site.
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It's marvelous to see Michelle finally campaigning on an issue. However, I would like not only to focus on childhood obesity, but all stages and ages of obesity. I think she chose childhood obesity because 'saving' the children would draw the most support. But let's not miss the picture here. Obese children tend to learn from their obese parents. So, if we are to foster a change in the eating habits of America, who should be the real target?
Furthermore, where do the obese parents learn their obese habits? From the food industry, which pours millions of dollars to advertise their products. "Beef, it's what's for dinner." "Got Milk?" "Nabisco's Snackwells" "Coca-Cola, it's the real thing" "McDonald's: ba ba ba ba ba, I'm Loving It"
Remember when pharmaceutical companies couldn't advertise on tv? Could you name a particular 'popular' medicine then? Now you can. "Zoloft" "Viagra" ect. What would happen if the government banned the food industries from advertising on the main mediums of communication?
This is what Michelle really, really should be campaigning towards. Otherwise good luck with the 'War on Childhood Obesity.'
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NOW: I am one of those people who posted on their page about making healthy choices to better my sons life, and it is working! In fact although he is only 20 months old he already mimicks mommy's push-ups (finally full ones!), and copies other exercises. I plan to make it NATURAL for him! I have discussed with my parents raising him to make healthy habits, like a morning jog for example... Since sparkpeople gave me the motivation to take up jogging while I was 217 pounds, and I STILL love it! I NEVER thought I would be a jogger!!!! NOw at 176 pounds and 5foot9.75 I am jogging away, when weather permits (like a few days ago)... So me and my little guy are going to do a couch 2 5 k style jogging method as he grows up! I was running him around by a game of chase the other day! Im trynig ALREADY!!! And he LOVES my whole wheat spaghetti! You DO have to make it taste good! In fact he loves about everything I make! And he does want to eat what I eat, so I prefer not to feed him anything I wouldnt eat myself! I just feel guilty! I look at feeding my son healthy foods like giving him a medication that is preserving his life....

THEN:I know I was overweight as a child. By the time I was in elementary school I was dieting just like my mom. At about 11 I lost 30 pounds counting calories and exercising, and hit 200 pounds... So yes I was obese. It came from a family with plenty of good tasting foods, and a sugar cereal and fruit snack addiction! There were other things too. I rarely enjoyed Phys. ed. I was a "fat kid", and it effected the way I felt every day. When I got fed up I exercised and lost weight, but gained it back.. Like all of us here I am sure. My self esteem was horrible, and if I would have had a sparkpeople to help me learn the tools then I would have had a dramatically different adolescent and teen experience.

*Sparkpeople has effected my entire family. Even my mother and father are eating healthier foods, and my mom has started looking for foods that are whole grain! I love seeing foods that I would eat myself at there house. It is amazing how finally the effect begins to take... When there is resistance sometimes just leading by example is all you can do. When people are ready they take the steps themselves...
Thanks spark!
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I would like to see more emphasis put on cycling. As cities become more bicycling friendly, it not only encourages it as a means of transportation, cutting down on automobile use, but also supports adding exercise to our day in an organic way.
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Luckily, my daughter is doing the opposite of me and slimming down as she becomes a teenager. She was always a good eater, as they say, when she was a baby but didn't slow down. She couldn't tell when she was full. By 6 years old, she was definitely heavy. Now in middle school she's too busy socializing to eat much while she is there. I make sure she gets breakfast and a snack when we get home. She's not losing weight, but isn't gaining either and PE 5 days a week is helping too. I try to keep junk food out of the house. Luckily, she'll eat most anything, her favorites are asparagus, bell pepper, and even salad.
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Doesn't that picture of the First Lady make you want her beautiful, toned arms? Seeing her motivates me to improve my health and fitness. Let's hope others take her message to heart and make this entire country healthier!
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Our kids spend so much of their time away at school during the day. I believe that they should be required to have structured exercise daily, no matter the age of the child. When they get into the high schools, they are only required to take P.E. for one year, yet they offer so many bad food choices and allow off campus fast food. It should be across the board for everyone across America! Go Kids! Our future should look healthy, not obese and sluggish. America's processed food is killing our future and addicting us all. Sometimes it's hard to tell what's healthy or not by the packaging and at our restaurants it can be impossible. It does seem that low incomes tend to equal overweight families more often than not. The more affordable foods are processed foods that create the addictive circle. I don't know the answer, but support at home and schools combined would be a great starting point.
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Obesity isn't the only problem in America. I know from experience that the more you talk to obese teens and preteens, the more they eat. Lifestyles are to hectic these days. So many extra activities that kids are involved in, families rarely eat at home much less eat together. Grab something on the way from one activity to another.
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I'd love to see a SparkKids. My 9-year-old daughter is very healthy on the slim side and makes great food choices. We talk with her often about good choices vs. luxury choices and portion control. However, there is research to support the fact that children (especially daughters) of overweight mothers are more inclined to develop eating disorders, so we're very careful about how we phrase our discussions. She sees me and my success on SparkPeople and would love to have her own account, but as a kid she doesn't qualify and feels left out. SparkKids, as I imagine it, would be a fun site for kids to log on alongside their parents, and would focus on activity, fun, nutrition and so forth without putting too much emphasis on weight. Please, SP, we can do this!
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It's great that this is topic is in the limelight. However, most kids are obese b/c their parents facilitate it. They sit inside playing video games and watching TV rather than playing outside. That was not an option when I was growing up (70s/80s), and not something we even wanted to do. Staying in the house was a punishment, especially when our friends were outside having a great time. Parents need to take away the modern conveniences that have made us ALL lazy (cellphones, TVs in bedrooms, video games, personal computers, etc.) and make the kids get up and out of the house. The kids eat whatever they want whenever they want without asking. That also was not allowed. You had to ask and sometimes you were told no. Junk food wasn't on the grocery list. A candy bar, a bag of chips - those were luxuries. Now they're staples. The schools can make healthy choices available, but if the kids don't want them, they won't eat them. Thus, they create waste. As with most things in life, one's foundation is at home. If the parents are not enforcing/practicing healthy habits, there is no reasonable expectation that the children will do so.
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I think this is great (which they had done something when I was young & I did not have to go through this), but this will hopefully help a whole generation and a generation to come. Since I was always either overweight or obese, I made sure my children were not. They were never offered junk food, sodas or fast food unless it was a special occassion. I made sure they were all involved in sports at a very young age and thank goodness, all 3 are at perfectly healthy weights. I used to tell them if they eat this crap they would look like me and I would tell them the struggles I went through. It worked.
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I know that my obesity has affected my daughter so much. She is 7-1/2 and is crossing the line into obesity and it tears me up inside. I am hopeful that my journey will help her to over come this and get back to a healthy weight for her. I know it's mine & my husbands lifestyle that has affected her and I do not want her or our 2-1/2 year old son to continue on the same path as we have taken.
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I have been affected personally by childhood obesity, but it hurts to heart to hear this statistic. I think we as adults have to be good examples and we need to get out and volunteer for various activities that can keep kids moving.
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THIS IS LONG OVERDUE, I grew up homeless in England and I am certain my being overweight started then. My grandmother gave me a good breakfast , at school we had DINNER, not just lunch -meat potatoes and vegetables-lucky me. When i returned to my grandmothers house I got my second dinner of the day. Meat and potatoes again. What is wrong with this picture. NO-ONE ever questioned just what this four year old was eating all day long. WAY too much. I hope that when they begin this program they make sure that the kids understand too much food is not good for them. Kids go to school and they can all eat breakfasts most of them already had breakfast at home. They usually have money in their account for school meals and they can buy ice cream and so they do. By the end of the day they have already eaten way too much food for the inadequate amount of exercise they are getting. Schools and parents just have to get a handle on not only what the children are eating but teach them that too much food is not good for their health. Parents and teachers along with school nutritionists and administrators should have guide lines to follow. Yes this will be a tall order for the schools but since the children are there so much of their day that will be the best place to educate them to eat properly.
It used to be said too many kids were hungry and they could not learn. I am sure in this day and age, too many kids are tired because they get lethargic after too much food.
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I agree with healthy living. I agree that Parents and the community can support a more healthy environment for children outside of their homes by pushing for health education in schools and better school lunch programs. We the people can affect this change. I do not think having a government ran program is a solution. The less big government the better.
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Anything that moves children away from video games and on to physical activity is a good thing! Good job, Chris on jumping on board and seeing what Spark People can do to help the cause! Children are our future! :)
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I think it is great and way overdue. As the mother of 5, I know how hard it is to monitor diets all the time and chase them from being in front of the tv all day.
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its does;nt take a only parents to raise/educate a child ,its take both,so lets be realistic here,what first lady is doing is very right,as a wise parents forget about ur political deffrences am focus on ur child/children;s healthy future,because they are leaders of tomorror, & if they are healthy they will be wealthy.
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Interesting article in the paper yesterday about how a family of four that gets food stamps ($95/week) is able or not able to buy healthy foods. Direct tie in to all of our discussions about childhood obesity.

Having a nationwide initiative IS important. Just like we have all realized here on SP, we can't do it alone. Or perhaps, we really do not WANT to do it alone. We are here on SP because of the myriad of supports to help us ADULTS become what we want to become: healthy and fit adults. It would be a logical thing to realize that as a nation of adults, we have an ethical and moral responsibility to band together as a nation to help our children not become unhealthy and unfit adults. What an amazing adulthood they will all have if they start off healthy, remain healthy and get to old age healthy.
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I agree that it's up to the parents but children spend more than 8 hours a day at school. The food that kids are fed in schools is horrible. Many times it is process and fried. This is what the kids like but they eat it because that is their only option. I believe we need to start in schools to make sure they are serving food that are healthy for the kids. As a teacher students do not like the foods they are fed but many times their parents cannot afford to send lunch with them. This is what we need to look at first!!!
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Thanks Chris, for bringing this to our attention. I think there is plenty we can do on both personal and community support levels. Personally, we need to influence our children to eat healthily, stay fit and make taking care of their bodies part of their lifestyle. (just like we are doing!) Our schools are struggling to provide adequate space, teachers and classroom resources, much less afford healthy fresh foods. On one level, it would be wonderful to take Michele's example of the garden at the White House and plan one at each school--perhaps with community support. The food raised could be used to supplement cafeteria meals and educate children both ecologically and nutritionally. On another level, perhaps Spark teams could visit schools and discuss why we are so passionate about being fit and healthy. We all know the consequences of not being healthy on a very personal level. I don't look at this as a political issue--anything we can do for our future, our children, is a very worthwhile issue.
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There are so many issues involved in the obesity crisis. Schools are cutting physical education and arts classes that stimulate creativity in our children. Sports teams are not funded properly in schools due to lack of funds. Vending machines are everywhere because they offer "cheap" fuel to stuff in hungry (bored) mouths.
Yes, the foundation for sound eating habits starts at home, but as children begin to move out and away from the sheltering of the home environment, they have thousands of really bad options to choose from. A major portion of those bad options taste really good, and are habit forming.
The disease processes that are so prevelent in middle age start during our childhood years. It's a long, slow, and potentially deadly string of events that start with what we consumed during our childhood. The good news, by changing our eating and lifestyle habits, we can offset some of the worst medical conditions. This is where it takes the dedication and understanding of the involved family.
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I am so glad that Michelle Obama is addressing this issue. Yes our lifestyles have changed since I was a child. This sedentary lifestyle is not only affecting our children, but it has also affected us. The ease of getting fastfood rather than homemade has also affected us. We need to really become aware of this problem and do something about it.
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Talking about tearing up, this blog has made me tear up a bit here.

I have fallen in love with SparkPeople since the day it came into my life back in July. I've had my challenges and my triumphs; I've created transformation in several aspects. I've struggled to get my family fully onboard with me, but I continue to share articles and passages from The Spark whenever I have the opportunity. I also continue to stock our pantry and refrigerator with healthful foods; however, my hubby also continues to bring things like Girl Scout cookies and chips into the house. So as of right now, there has been SOME improvement in the eating habits of my children; however, it's not what I would like it to be. My son, in particular, needs to get healthier and it hurts me to see him wearing oversized shirts to cover up his belly. It hurts me to see his self-confidence be affected. So I will continue with my mission and I am thankful for people like you and the First Lady who are bringing issues like this to the forefront.
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After Michelle Obama's Let's Move campaign was announced yesterday, I saw an article in our local paper talking about Colorado. I'm proud to live in the state which has the lowest percentage of obese people. HOWEVER, the article stated that Colorado is 23rd out of 50 states in terms of child obesity - almost 1 out of every 4 children in Colorado is obese. I was shocked. Apparently we have not influenced our kids to live the same healthy lifestyle as their parents and other adults in the state.
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I love that childhood obesity is brought to the spotlight from First Lady Obama. Sometimes hearing how tragic obesity is from the top will help parents get motivated to help their children.

I do believe parents play a part in their children's eating habits. I had two boys and I tried to introduce new vegetables from time to time. One son wouldn't even try it; the other one would try it and decide if he liked it or not. They did not grow up eating alot of junk and fast foods; I did cook meals at home and pack lunches. They loved to play outside and was in various afterschool sports. They don't have a problem with obesity to this day.

Today's society is so accustomed to everything being instant, quick, and easy. Alot of single parent homes, and even 2 parent homes are working overtime. Life has become seditary with computers, television, and games like ninetendo.

We all need to get moving. I'm not sure what it will take, but we must keep trying to educate on all levels.

I give props to the Obama's. The administration that was handed over to them was extremely flawed. God help us all.
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I think this is a very important initiative! I do not have any children yet but I have a niece and three nephews and I do try to help their parents teach them how to live a healthy lifestyle by participating in our family activites. My oldest sister got me into running and I think that since I am such an important influential person in my niece's life that I can pass the torch. Keep it up everyone and lets change these current numbers to a percentage that is much lower!
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Man's downfall started out with eating things God told him not to eat.
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All, I think some of your comments are well warranted and then some are not. Good nutrition begins in the home, however there are some families who for one reason or another cannot provide the guidance their children need. In this country we still have a poverty issue whereas the first good meal a child receives is in school. There are also households in which the parents or guardians are not in a position to make good sound decisions regarding nutrition and other factors involving the child due to abuse, drugs, alcoholism, etc.

The First Lady should be commended for taking a stand to end childhood obesity. I interact with children/youth who participate in track and field. It give me joy to see an overweight athlete attempt to run a race instead of just participating in field events. To me this is their attempt to try to improve their overall health. Let's stop complaining and get into action.

I'm one of the fortunate parents where my 3 children are not overweight because of their participation in sports. However, an injury can sideline anyone and if I continue to work on creating an environment which respects food and the importance of nutrition my next comment could be the complete opposite. In the meantime I will continue to work on improving my health by following the guidelines promoted by SparksPeople and Weight Watcherds.

Michelle I'm in your corner and I support your efforts.
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