Get Up & Go!

Last week, First Lady Michele Obama picked a new project: she's started a national initiative to fight childhood obesity. The goals are the usual two: 1) better diet, and 2) more exercise.  "Let's Move" will be backed up with up to $1B in federal funding, and a national task force to deal with the problem.  Among other things, it will pay for new sports clinics, new community playgrounds and bike paths, new public service announcements, and a new website (see the "letsmove" link, below).

 

If that sounds exorbitant, it may not be.  The medical costs related to obesity in this country are estimated at around $150B a year, roughly half of that covered by Medicare or Medicaid.  More than 1 in 10 children in the U.S. is now "obese," and the rates are going up (see the "Play Time" blog, below).  The First Lady's initiative is a preemptive strike.

 

It's one every parent should take.  Spring is just around the corner: it's time to start eating more local fruits and vegetables, and to get out and play--or work.  Tell your son or daughter to go fly a kite, ride a bike, mow the lawn or take out the trash.  They'll be so glad you did.

 

http://www.letsmove.gov/

 

http://content.healthaffairs.org/cgi/content/short/hlthaff.28.5.w822