And the results have been beyond anything we could have ever imagined. Together, we helped them take on this issue in their homes, in their schools and in their communities. Most of these folks didn’t have big marketing budgets or special interests lobbying for them in Washington, so too often, their concerns simply weren’t being heard.īut together, we helped give them a voice. Parents were anxious about their kids’ health and self-esteem. And the military was spending millions of dollars fixing broken bones and rotting teeth caused by poor nutrition.īusinesses were struggling with rising health care costs. Military officials were warning that about half of all recruits were failing the Army’s Entry Physical Fitness Test. For years, doctors and nurses had been sounding the alarm as younger and younger kids were developing diabetes and high blood pressure. You knew what the experts were telling us. Other folks felt like this issue was too “soft,” too “First Lady-ish.” And some were disappointed that we weren’t focusing on a more “serious” issue.īut you all knew better. Now, there were plenty of folks who were in favor of taking on childhood obesity, but there were also the cynics who said that this was big government run amok, the nanny state telling you what to feed your kids. So I think that we can all agree that the culture change we’ve seen is truly breathtaking, especially when you think back to where we were when we first launched Let’s Move! Remember the reaction we got back then? I don’t know if all of you were there, but I remember. (Applause.) Now, that definitely wasn’t happening five years ago. And get this: just two weeks ago, when the Georgetown women’s basketball team played Xavier, they had a “Hail to Kale” night - (laughter) - where the first 100 fans received free kale. And it seems like everyone’s running out to buy those fitness bracelets.įive years ago, all this stuff would have been considered cutting-edge, but now, today, it’s our new norm. Companies are actually rewarding employees for eating right and going to the gym. They’re moving beyond just pizza and tater tots to lunches filled with fresh produce and whole grains. Hit the aisles of the nearest Walmart and you’ll find new healthy labels on their products. Head to the local drive-thru, and kids’ meals might include apples and skim milk. Even convenience stores are selling fruits and vegetables. Food companies are racing like never before to create healthier versions of their products. Just think about how much things have changed. And I want to start off today by doing a little celebrating, because over the past five years, we have truly changed the culture around healthy eating and living in this country. And we’re committing to be true champions for this issue for the next five years and beyond. We’re challenging ourselves to do even more. Now, our theme for this anniversary is “Celebrate, Challenge, Champion.” We are celebrating how far we’ve come. And I am so proud to be with you today as we kick off the fifth anniversary - five years - of Let’s Move! Five years! (Applause.) Feels like my child. And I just want you to know how grateful I am to all of you and how inspired I am by you. Many of you were out there fighting for our kids’ health long before I came to this issue as First Lady. (Applause.)Īnd finally, most importantly, I want to thank all of you. So let’s give all of these folks another round of applause. And I understand that you’ll be hearing some exciting news from Mercedes Benz USA tomorrow. I want to thank the PHA Board and all the staff for the amazing job that they do every single day.Īnd of course, I want to recognize the folks responsible for this year’s outstanding commitments: Blue Sea Development, Urban Ventures and Vitus Group Vintners all the new partners for PHA’s Healthier Campus Initiative and all the new supporters of Let’s Move! Active Schools. (Applause.) I also want to thank Larry Soler, Jim Gavin for their terrific leadership. I want to start by thanking Dave not just for that wonderful introduction, but for his outstanding efforts on behalf of our kids. But it is truly a pleasure and an honor to be here with all of you today. I’ve got a little bit of a cough, so I apologize in advance. OBAMA: Thank you so much! (Applause.) Well, good morning, everyone! Are you guys hanging in there after our big snow? (Laughter.) It is a pleasure - I’m checking for my water.
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