First Lady Expands 'Let's Move' Obesity Initiative To Religious Groups

By Adelle M. Banks
Religion News Service

WASHINGTON (RNS) First lady Michelle Obama has expanded her "Let's Move" initiative to reduce childhood obesity to include working with religious and community organizations.

"We can provide all the information in the world but it's really the leadership and respect that so many of you have garnered through your congregations and communities that's going to help push this conversation to the next level," Obama told leaders on a Monday (Nov. 29) conference call.

Joshua DuBois, executive director of the White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships, said charities involved in "Let's Move" have helped develop goals for 2011, including walking a collective 3 million miles, developing 10,000 community gardens and
farmers markets and hosting 1,000 new summer feeding sites for needy children.

"We want to make sure that we're having a real and measurable impact on our kids' lives," Obama said, speaking to representatives of churches, the Girl Scouts and a Muslim health professionals group.

She will work with leaders whose houses of worship and other organizations already offer nutrition and exercise programs or community gardens to "shake other congregations up" to get involved.

An online toolkit for community leaders was posted Monday on the LetsMove.gov website with links to information about federal programs encouraging fitness and healthy eating. It offers tips such as switching from sugar-sweetened drinks to 100 percent juice products in school
programs and using smaller plates and fresh fruits and vegetables at congregation potlucks.

Early next year, Obama will host a "Let's Move Faith and Communities" event in Washington to set further goals for the program.

Comments

[Laxsmi de Potrero]

01:04 PM on 12/02/2010

huffnpuff in the another section glorifies the unhealthy hamburger, and in this section lauds the flotus' anti-obesity campaign. does the right hand know what the left hand is doing? or is it too busy holding a giant burger?

[Laxsmi de Potrero]

12:58 PM on 12/02/2010

just when i thought i had little respect to lose for obie the wan's administration, supporting "faith based" groups, destroyed what little respect was left.

having no issue with faith based groups, the linking of government to religion is, imo, unacceptable.

i am sure not all believers would want the flotus to move issues to atheist groups.

[AZreb]

10:42 AM on 12/02/2010

I volunteer at a religious non-profit thrist store that also has a food pantry and a "help" office where people apply for food, prescription funds, utilties help, clothing and household goods including furniture.

Had an impromptu meeting with one of the higher-ups (mainly to b**** about certain programs not being followed) and mentioned to her that many who obtain the food have absolutely no idea of meal planning, nutritional values or even basic cooking. And along with that, they have difficulty managing their budgets in order to make the money last to the end of the month -

It doesn't do too much good to hand out food if the person receiving it is clueless about making it last and fixing meals that give the family what it needs in nutritional value. Hopefully we will have classes starting soon to help solve these problems -

This could also be a plan for those who use food stamps - too many use filling instead of nutritious foods in their menus and could be getting both filling and nutritious value for their families.

[LMPE]

07:46 PM on 12/01/2010

Clearly this can't extend to all churches. If it did, John Hagee would have to lose weight.

[dubbleplusgood]

06:49 PM on 12/01/2010

I suppose this means the local church bake sales are coming to an end? Didn't think so. It's just more nonsense mixing of religion and government.

[NatTurner1]

02:31 PM on 12/01/2010

Isnt it about time for Sarah Palin to come out and "blast" this?

[HowthCastle]

10:32 AM on 12/01/2010

OK. So America's children are much too often overweight. Combating obesity is a Good Thing. So when Michelle Obama makes a statement about it, why do the Far Right have fits? They hate the Obamas so much that they can't stand to see one doing a Good Thing. Pathetic.

[One Nation]

10:26 AM on 12/01/2010

Good move!!! Religious communities have a powerful influence on lifestyle behaviors such as what activities and events we attend, and food habits. There is already data that shows that how some religious groups promote eating habits, such as fruits and vegetables, affects life expectancy. Very smart way to Lets Move!!!

[Laxsmi de Potrero]

12:59 PM on 12/02/2010

so when does being fat become a sin? or is it already?

[thereisonlyoneparty]

10:21 PM on 12/02/2010

It would be considered self-harm by most religions which is typically considered to be a "sinful" behavior.  You know, but this god, gods, or Xenu gave you that body and they want it back eventually.  Just like the clerk at Hertz, they are going to charge you for every scratch.

[deluk]

08:23 AM on 12/01/2010

"First Lady Expands 'Let's Move' Obesity Initiative To Religious Groups"

What a quaint headline, so American.

[hoppedy]

07:25 AM on 12/01/2010

Stay out of my church REV WHRIGHT theologian.

[Rhonnybay]

06:15 PM on 12/03/2010

smh.

[loosebowel]

06:52 AM on 12/01/2010

Sarah Palin will be furious again with the First Lady. Get ready for another shark attack from Sarah Barracuda.

[SteveDenver]

01:48 AM on 12/01/2010

Religious people DO MOVE… through the line at a pot luck.

[Nabil Muhammad]

04:02 AM on 12/01/2010

and?

[usaville]

08:50 AM on 12/01/2010

Helps fuel my marathon training.

[truthisneeded]

01:19 AM on 12/01/2010

I would check and see if they can involve this guy

http://www.examiner.com/obama-administration-in-new-york/mitch-mcconnell-s-dishonest-quoting-of-healthcare-polls

McConnell in this; it seems that mr Mc Connell may need some help with weight management

[Promise]

11:37 PM on 11/30/2010

This is a wonderful idea. If you want to see some really obese women go to some Southern churches. They eat wonderfully delicious but terribly fattening foods. It's great that Michelle is bringing some light to these people.

[hoppedy]

07:26 AM on 12/01/2010

or eating

[SensibleJoe]

11:04 PM on 11/30/2010

Good for our First Lady! America's children need healthy food, healthy habits, healthy living and a healthy environment if they're going to be an educated, productive future for our country. Reach them any way you can, Mrs. Obama.

[Nabil Muhammad]

04:00 AM on 12/01/2010

this is true, 17% of American kids (age 2-12) is obese, there need to be more programs such as this.

[thereisonlyoneparty]

10:22 PM on 12/02/2010

Productive future?

Yeah, we run up the bills on them so they best be healthy enough to pay for the messes we have made.