All aboard for Michelle Obama's childhood obesity campaign
First Lady Michelle Obama rolled out her "Let's Move" campaign, targeting childhood obesity, on Tuesday. She outlined a multi-part approach that involves families and communities and includes input from the public and private sector.
Fighting childhood obesity — pretty much a no-brainer, right? Still, we weren't quite prepared for the barrage of news releases from bandwagon-jumping organizations that couldn't wait to say they were on board with the plan. Showing support so far are the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the American Dietetic Assn., the American College of Sports Medicine, the American Society for Nutrition, the Center for Science in the Public Interest, (wait, we're not done) the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Medical Assn., the American Assn. of Clinical Endocrinologists, the National League of Cities, (still got a few more) the National Assn. of State Boards of Education, Chartwells School Dining Services, Sodexo and BET Networks. There were also some surprises in the group. To wit:
The American Bakers Assn.: This organization "...wholeheartedly applaud(s) First Lady Michelle Obama for dedicating her considerable credibility and clout toward solving the nation's childhood obesity epidemic," according to President and Chief Executive Robb MacKie. Why, you may be wondering? "With grains positioned at the base of the food guide pyramid, bakers take very seriously their responsibility in providing healthy, nutritious and wholesome products to consumers." Just ignore the cupcakes. Don't even look at them.
The Dr Pepper Snapple Group: The company plans, according to a release, "... to improve product labeling by listing calories more prominently on containers, vending machines and fountain equipment." But that’s not all: "The beverage industry has a proud heritage not only of bringing our consumers fun and refreshment but also of taking action to help build stronger communities, support education and promote health and wellness," according to the group's president and chief executive. We guess they're thinking more about the "fun" part and less about the studies linking soda consumption to weight gain in children.
Retired military brass: Gen. Johnnie E. Wilson, U.S. Army (ret.), and Lt. Gen. Norman Seip, U.S. Air Force (ret.), said Tuesday in a release that "... preventing child obesity is a matter of national security" and noted that "being overweight has become the Number 1 reason why potential recruits are unable to enlist in the armed services."
PepsiCo: Not to be outdone by Dr Pepper and the Snapple Group, PepsiCo issued a release with news about a beverage-labeling plan that supports the initiative. "To help consumers manage their calorie consumption," says the release, "PepsiCo will list calorie content on the front of its beverage containers, vending machines and fountain equipment by the end of 2012. Packages up to 20 ounces will be labeled with total calories and multi-serve containers will be labeled with calories-per-serving based on 12-ounce servings." See two paragraphs above.
Look for more wagon-hitching in ensuing days. We're still waiting to hear from the Independent Office Products and Furniture Dealers Assn. and the Society of Women Engineers.
— Jeannine Stein
Photo credit: Olivier Douliery / MCT
The California School Library Association applauds First Lady Michelle Obama for her campaign against childhood obesity. Fighting childhood obesity is a key element of our Athletes as Readers and Leaders initiative, http://athletereadersleaders.csla.net/
Strong school libraries build stronger students!
Posted by: Jacquelyn Siminitus | February 10, 2010 at 12:18 PM
Yes, it may be a bandwagon full of unlikely characters that play a role in creating this problem, and of course I'm a bit suspicious of their motives, but at least the measures they're proposing sound pretty good. They're much more relevant for grown-ups than kids though, but it's something. Hopefully part of the actual initiative is getting soda totally out of schools, which would make a bigger dent than just labeling changes.
Posted by: Amy | February 10, 2010 at 02:37 PM
How about the Food and Beverage Industry take out High Fructose Corn Syrup from their products? And every other genetically enhanced product out of what we put into our bodies?
That would be a great start.
I realize it's cheaper to put "modified products" in our bodies, but it does not help us out in the long run. Our bodies are not meant to process food that has been altered o make it "taste better".
The next step, would be to get parents more involved with their children with indoor and outdoor activity. Parents these days seem to buy their children Happy Meals and place them in front of a TV (in their car and/or at home). This type of actvity does not teach the child anything, except how to be anti-social, lazy, and make poor choices with the use of their time.
Mrs. Obama's campaign is a move in the right direction. I think as parents, we should take this as our cue to follow though and help our children as well as ourselves.
...k
Posted by: Klaudia Kristina | February 10, 2010 at 02:40 PM
The government should mandate that all schools that use federal monies take out there soda machines and do away with all foods that do not fit in the healthy daily requirements a child should get, less carbs and more fruits and veggies. Take away all deserts, sugar and white flour. There will not be a change until this is done.
Posted by: nancy paxton | February 10, 2010 at 02:48 PM
The 'get active' mantra does little without removing the corn subsidies that puts corn syrup in every product on store shelves. Watch 'Food Inc.', or let me know why this is incorrect.
Posted by: Jared | February 10, 2010 at 05:21 PM
The problem of excess weight is one of all generations. Helping children who have this problem means first altering the attitude and lifestyle of the parents, then the children. Bringing your child to the local playground requires effort. Allowing the child to remain sedentary with a video game or TV requires no effort. Making healthy food choices requires effort. Munching on nachos and potato chips requires no effort.
There's probably 200 Million adults and children in the U.S. who require an attitude adjustment on the subjects of nutrition and exercise. If the first lady can succeed in changing those attitudes, it will be a greater accomplishment than any legislation her husband gets through congress.
Posted by: Dan MacKenzie | February 11, 2010 at 08:16 AM
Physical education in all schools, elementary and high school, should be mandatory. As a physical educator, we need help in educating our students and parents. Please support our movement in school.s
Posted by: Melanie Parker | February 12, 2010 at 01:58 PM