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I’m sure you’ve heard of First Lady Michelle Obama‘s Let’s Move! Initiative, right? If you haven’t it’s all about raising a healthier, active generation of kids.

Robin Schepper, Executive Director, of Let’s Move! shared at Mom Congress her personal story and how she got involved with Let’s Move!. As a mom in D.C. public schools, she wanted her children to walk every day to school. But, there wasn’t a sidewalk that went all the way to school. So, she organized her community to build sidewalks and provide bike racks for the school. Mrs. Obama heard about her and asked her to work for Let’s Move!

Schepper said to us, “It’s about national security.“

What?

She explained, “The biggest challenge in army recruiting is obesity.”

Oh. Whoa. (Obesity Facts HERE.)

“They’ve found that the recruits are the same recruits,” she explained, “but with lower bone density and more stress fractures because P.E. started getting cut and they have no idea how to eat.”

Let’s Move! Programs

Healthier US School Challenge – a voluntary program for schools where the schools raise their standards and become healthier and more nutritious while adding in more movement. And, there are monetary benefits.  You can work with the principals to make this happen

Let’s Move! Cities and Towns - encourages mayors and elected officials to adopt long-term, sustainable, holistic approaches to fighting childhood obesity.

Let’s Move Faith and Communities - information and lessons for faith-based and community-based organizations to inspire healthy eating, physical activity, and respond to hunger.

Walking School Bus and Bike Train

A walking school bus is a group of children walking to school with one or ore adults. Download this walking school bus guide. I think this idea is genius! Parents worry about safety walking to school but if everyone trades off walking with the kids, it could work for any community if you live in walking distance.

Another idea is to try a bicycle train. The adults supervise children riding their bikes to school.

What YOU Can Do

- Encourage your school and city to join the Let’s Move! programs.

- Follow the Let’s Move! blog for ideas and resources.

- Start a Walking School Bus in your neighborhood.

- Make physical activity a priority in your family. (30-60 minutes)

- Teach your children how to make healthy choices and to read nutrition labels. Tips HERE.

We all can make improvements in our own families, if not our communities. What will you change today?

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