partnership for a healthier america michelle obama

Just three decades ago, the average employee worked 180 hours less each year than today’s average employee. Back in 1980, way back then - (laughter) - just 39 percent of married families had two working parents. For starters, people have a lot less time. More than anyone else, we as parents decide what our kids eat, and how active they are every single day.īut, unfortunately, over the past 50 years, it’s gotten a whole lot harder for many families to make healthy choices. (Laughter.) And they certainly don’t sign themselves up for ballet and basketball clinics at the Y.

I mean, after all, our kids aren’t the ones going to the supermarket or waking up early to make breakfast - at least not in my household. Now, on one level, this seems pretty obvious. And that’s one of the things I want to focus on today -– what all of us can do to better empower families who want to make healthy choices for their kids. We know that families play a uniquely important role in the work that we’re all doing. And with this type of broad and inclusive engagement, I am confident that we will continue to make steady progress.īut we also know that at the end of the day, when it comes to the health of our kids, no one has a greater impact than each of us do as parents. Together, we are inspiring leaders from every sector to take ownership of this issue. So together, slowly but surely, we are beginning to turn the tide on childhood obesity in America. Rates are also falling in cities - yes - (applause) - like Philadelphia and New York, and in California as well. In Mississippi, obesity rates among elementary school children have dropped 13 percent. Thanks to efforts like these, today, we are finally starting to see some results. So again, I just want to take a moment today to say how grateful I am for Reebok’s longstanding commitment to this issue, and for their groundbreaking investment to take that work to the next level. (Applause.) This investment - oh - as you’ve seen, it comes after years of leadership through their BOKS Kids program which supports innovative programs to get kids active in our schools. (Applause.)Īnd today, we are beyond thrilled to announce that Reebok is joining this effort with an additional investment of $30 million over the next three years. Democrats and Republicans right here in Washington - (laughter) - came together to pass groundbreaking legislation that is transforming our school lunch program.Īnd just last week, we had the sheer delight to launch Let’s Move Active Schools, an unprecedented effort to invest more than $70 million to promote physical activity and bring physical education back to our schools. Nearly two and a half million kids have enrolled in recreational sports classes. Faith leaders are educating their congregations about eating healthy. Military leaders are serving healthier food on their bases.

Because of you, major American businesses like Disney and Walmart and Darden Restaurants are now offering healthier menus and products. Because of your tremendous efforts, more than half a million people in underserved communities now have access to fresh, healthy food. And it’s just a thrill to be working with both of these wonderful organizations and companies that are doing all of these terrific things.īut most of all, I want to thank all of you - the advocates, experts, and executives who have been leading the way to give all of our children a healthy start to their lives. We are so grateful that they are our partners and our neighbors as well.Īnd I also want to recognize Larry Soler - Larry for - and everybody else at the partnership for all of their wonderful work, as well as Kathleen Tullie and the team at Reebok for all of their leadership. Steven Knapp, not just for hosting us here at GW, but for all the wonderful work this university is doing to forward the agenda of nutrition and fitness. (Laughter.) But I’m thrilled that he could join us today, and I’m just grateful for all of his work and leadership. I’m probably as excited to see him as I am to see all of you. It is truly a pleasure to be with all of you today.Īnd of course, I want to start by thanking Eli Manning - (applause) - oh, my gosh! - for that very kind introduction. OBAMA: (Applause.) Thank you all so much.

Partnership for a healthier america michelle obama