President Barack Obama declared September ?National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month,? the second year he has done so. Obama says childhood obesity is an ?epidemic? that Americans can halt if they work together.
?Over the last year and a half, the First Lady?s Let?s Move! initiative has brought together Federal agencies and some of the biggest corporations and nonprofits from across our country, working to meet our national goal of solving the problem of childhood obesity within a generation,? Obama wrote in a presidential proclamation. ?Let?s Move! aims to help ensure we can make healthy choices about the foods we eat and how much exercise we get, while building the habits necessary to tackle one of the most urgent health issues we face in this country.?
Obama said the special month is aimed at making Americans aware of his and first lady Michelle Obama?s anti-obesity efforts. In addition to praising the efforts of schools, Obama said that his administration has redesigned the ?food pyramid,? released ?updated Dietary Guidelines,? and rolled out the ?Healthy People 2020 initiative,? a general health policy aimed at all Americans that ?incorporates childhood obesity prevention.?
?Childhood obesity cuts across all cultural and demographic lines, so Let?s Move! has started initiatives to reach every cross-section of America, from urban and rural areas to schools, health clinics, and child care homes and centers,? Obama wrote. ?These programs touch everyone, from faith-based communities to Indian Country, empowering kids and their families to discover the fun in healthy eating and exercise.?
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