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February 20, 2010 2:33 PM
ABC News’ Yunji de Nies reports:
Michelle Obama is calling on the country’s governors to help in the battle against childhood obesity.Â
"Let's act. Let's move. Let's give our kids the future they deserve, " she said in a speech, kicking off the annual winter meeting of the National Governors Association.
“There's no place for politics when it comes to fighting childhood obesity,†Mrs. Obama said, “Because with a phone call or the stroke of a pen, you can determine whether a child can see a doctor or get a decent education or have a safe place to play, because you all are fighting the real battles every day on behalf of our kids, and you don't have time for the fake battles.â€
The first lady highlighted successful programs in several states to combat the problem, including Arkansas, with a nod to former Gov. Mike Huckabee.
“Arkansas started on the issue of childhood obesity way back in 2003 -- something former Gov. Huckabee and I discussed yesterday when I appeared on his TV show,†the first lady said, “They screened students' BMIs, which was controversial. They got healthier food into their schools and required regular physical education classes. And as a result, that state was able to halt the rise of childhood obesity completely.
The first lady’s interview airs tonight and will be her first on Fox News. The former Republican presidential candidate has waged his own, very public, battle of the bulge, losing more than 100 pounds as then-governor of Arkansas. He went on to write a book chronicling his experience, entitled, "Quit Digging Your Grave With a Knife and Fork."
Mrs. Obama said helping America’s children get healthy is not only the right thing to do, it makes financial sense at a time when health care expenses are straining state budgets. She noted that each state has its own unique challenges and characteristics, and encouraged the governors to think creatively.
“Folks in West Virginia have taken the lead in bringing 'DDR' -- that's 'Dance, Dance Revolution' -- it's a new video game that gets kids up and moving,†she said. “And let me tell you, I can attest to 'Dance, Dance Revolution.' We got it at Camp David, and it will make you sweat. And it is addictive in a very good way. The president still can't do it.â€
FLOTUS Fashion Watch: Mrs. Obama wore a sleeveless coral sheath dress and pearl necklace.
February 20, 2010 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (50)
Oh my. I love how the haters have really stepped out.
---
How can you call it hatred because I question (ridiculous) claims of creating THOUSANDS of jobs with a $400 million program?
Posted by: smartlillena | Feb 20, 2010 11:51:42 PM
The McDonald CEO said that they are willing to put out healthy foods, but once they do, there's little demand. People still demand triple cheese burgers, sundae hot fudge with three layers of colouring, supersize french fries with a super large coca cola. Everything now is super sized, super large, buy 1 get 1 meal free. The CEO said that if the market wants healthy food, he will make sure that McDonald will supply them.
Posted by: young_voter | Feb 20, 2010 9:04:44 PM
Jesus_Allah_Budda, you are lucky to live in the school district you live in then.
I'm afraid that it's quite true that a whole lot of schools DO have junk-food vendo-lands in them, DON'T require PE classes, and DO serve a lot of junk-type food in their school lunches.
So basically, Mrs. Obama was suggesting the type of schools your kids go to should be the standard for all schools. And I agree with her.
Posted by: JaylahPriest | Feb 20, 2010 9:03:36 PM
Oh my. I love how the haters have really stepped out. So what if the American people pay for her wardrobe as they did for previous First Ladies. Who cares, what you need to do is listen to the message that she is trying to get across. Every First Lady had some kind of cause she cared about. Please, if you have an issue, try to state it without being so hateful. Wake up, she is her for the next three years and there is nothing you and I can do about. I am happy that we pay to keep our First Lady looking incredible since the world always have thier eyes on her. It was just a suggestion and not a law.
Posted by: babyj21 | Feb 20, 2010 8:59:02 PM
Let's give our kids the future they deserve
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Eating rice and red beans?
Posted by: smartlillena | Feb 20, 2010 8:51:12 PM
I'm watching the first lady on Huckabee and if anyone that has access to her by chance monitors what people say about her, please tell her she needs to stop saying "you know".
Posted by: Axey | Feb 20, 2010 8:51:02 PM
What school are you guys talken bout...cause the PUBLIC schools my children attend not only DO NOT have vending, the lunches served DO NOT include white bread any more...only wheat. And gym is still a mandatory course in elementary through high school (9th grade to receive the credit for graduation).
Posted by: Jesus_Allah_Budda | Feb 20, 2010 8:36:16 PM
Pablo, how can you reasonably expect parents to do anything about childhood obesity when schools have eliminated all physical activity from their programs and not only allow junk-food vendo-lands in their buildings, but often offer junk food as part of their school lunches?
Yes, I agree this is something that parents should be responsible for. But they should not have to fight governments (whether school boards, the state, or federal) to do it.
The school lunch program operates under federal government rules. It's the federal government that is giving the okay to include junk food as part of the school lunch program.
It is often school boards that decide to allow vendo-lands filled with junk food into school buildings.
States have the authority to decide whether recess or physical education classes can be cut from school curriculums.
Yes, the parents are responsible, but they shouldn't have to fight the government to keep their kids healthy.
Posted by: JaylahPriest | Feb 20, 2010 7:39:50 PM
jafo, if you'd bothered to read the article, you'd have known that this is about a speech Mrs. Obama gave to the National Governors Association.
Which, of course, would be the association that the governors of each STATE belong to.
Mrs. Obama holds absolutely no office in the United States government. She speaks only as a concerned citizen and as a parent of two children. "Washington" isn't telling anybody anything.
Perhaps you think childhood obesity (which inevitably turns into adult obesity) is a good thing? Higher health costs and all that?
Posted by: JaylahPriest | Feb 20, 2010 7:31:12 PM
Kudos Ms. Obama! She came to the first grocery store with fresh foods that North Philly has had in 10 years yesterday! She recognized the work that a local N. Philly school has made over the last decade. Obesity was cut in half in comparison to the other schools in the area! Corner stores are now carrying healthy foods instead of just processed crap. I think this is an AWESOME cause to get involved with and so happy people are taking this seriously. Access to affordable healthy foods now!
Posted by: Valerie | Feb 20, 2010 7:02:39 PM
______________________________________
Good to hear from someone who actually knows about the project - instead of just the hate mongers with their pre-conceived agenda and prejudice.
Posted by: tierra | Feb 20, 2010 7:25:25 PM
When is it the states problem to stop child obesity and not the parents. This is like telling teenage girls not to get pregnant, but if you do you can collect more welfare for each kid you have. Tell cities to build more supervised play grounds and furnish the equipment for playing games.
Posted by: Pablo | Feb 20, 2010 7:20:33 PM
Since when do the states have to listen to Washington to determine policy? Let alone the (harrumph!) first lady... Jeez her husband could use a few pointers...
The states created the government, under the 10th amendment they don't have to follow one thing Washington says.
All Washington does is buy their obedience with YOUR tax dollars! (As in money they stole from you by mere force)
If the states wise up and see that Washington is spending them into insolvency, and want to limit or even sever the one sided, abusive relationship... I say THANK YOU!
If they want to ride "the road to serfdom" on the backs of the poor, on behalf of the elite (or as Obama and GW Bush put it, "their base.") Then make them WORK for a living by firing THEM! (You know, instead of settling for being fired yourself!)
Posted by: jafo | Feb 20, 2010 7:19:18 PM
Kudos Ms. Obama! She came to the first grocery store with fresh foods that North Philly has had in 10 years yesterday! She recognized the work that a local N. Philly school has made over the last decade. Obesity was cut in half in comparison to the other schools in the area! Corner stores are now carrying healthy foods instead of just processed crap. I think this is an AWESOME cause to get involved with and so happy people are taking this seriously. Access to affordable healthy foods now!
Posted by: Valerie | Feb 20, 2010 7:02:39 PM
ROLFMBO
Is that the "I know you are, but what am I" defense?
How does it feel to know that people you've never even met are laughing themselves silly at you?
Posted by: JaylahPriest | Feb 20, 2010 6:45:14 PM
Actually, jody, if you read anything other than comic books, you'd know that health studies have shown that smoking and being overweight have pretty much equal negative effects on health.
Michelle Obama cannot take on every single issue this country faces. Not only is there not enough time in the day to do that, but -- if you start trying to take on too many causes -- your message about all of them gets watered down so much they're meaningless.
So, just like EVERY OTHER FIRST LADY THIS COUNTRY HAS EVER HAD, she has to choose the two or three issues she feels the most strongly about. Childhood obesity is one of the causes she has chosen to focus on.
It's clear you don't like Michelle Obama. You are entitled to your own opinion. But coming here to complain about her dress, or her choice of causes, when the article is clearly about childhood obesity and her speech to the National Governors Association about childhood obesity only -- as I said -- shows your ignorance.
Why don't you turn your computer off, make yourself a big sign that says, "SMOKING IS BAD FOR YOU" and go park your butt on a busy corner. You'd do a lot more good doing that than sitting around complaining about Mrs. Obama's wardrobe.
At any rate, I'm tired of explaining the patently obvious to you.
Posted by: JaylahPriest | Feb 20, 2010 6:37:58 PM
Oh Jaylah,
Just so you know, they aren't called "dressers". They are called "image consultants" and they help with everything involved in a person's perception. From clothing, jewelry, elocution, facial expressions, etc.
Posted by: jody | Feb 20, 2010 6:34:38 PM
Jaylah, You are wrong. WE pay $1.5 million for her stylists!! Wake up and read about it!! Her image-makers have talked about how they needed to change her perceived image in the media...to a softer perception. You mean to tell me, you can't see how her clothing has changed? Geez, it figures you are duped by these people.
Posted by: jody | Feb 20, 2010 6:32:40 PM
Jaylah,
It's because WE spend a lot of OUR money for her personal assistants. Maybe she needs to fire them, and hire some new staffers who understand the seasonal changes and appropriate attire.
That's all. You're right -- I don't like Michelle - she's an angry hater. All the image-makers in the world can't hide THAT fact, because her countenance shows that hatred.
Posted by: jody | Feb 20, 2010 6:30:14 PM
jody, Michelle Obama pays for her own clothes.
She does not (as you seem to imply) have a "dresser" (like British royalty do), that comes in every day, lays out her clothes, and dresses her.
She can dress the way she wants to, she doesn't need to consult you before she gets dressed, and you trying to make an issue about it just shows your ignorance.
Posted by: JaylahPriest | Feb 20, 2010 6:27:34 PM
Jaylah, "If the government wants people to get healthier and make healthier life choices, then I think they have an obligation to practice what they preach."
I wonder why Michelle did not tackle smoking?? Kids are smoking in their early teens. Do you think it would look like she was a hypocrite since her hubby still smokes? (Smoking is far worse for health than being chubby.)
Posted by: jody | Feb 20, 2010 6:25:34 PM
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