Yesterday First Lady Michelle Obama visited Brinkley Middle & Pecan Park Elementary Schools, in Jacksonville, Mississippi, as part of her Let’s Move! campaign to reduce childhood obesity in a generation and promote healthy eating. Mrs Obama was greeted by loud cheers and applause. This is truly a non-partisan issue that requires all who love children to make healthy changes.
As Mom-In-Chief Michelle Obama knows that there are times that you must motivate by encouraging positive behavior and she did exactly that when she visited the schools. Brinkley & Pecan Park are considered to be models for exercise and healthy eating. The schools curriculum’s have incorporated teaching about healthy lifestyles to change behavior.
FLOTUS was joined by Governor & First Lady Barbour of Mississippi who have been engaged in a “Let’s Go Walking” campaign to encourage exercise in the state. According to statistics, Mississippi is the most obese state in the Nation and the state government has been working to reduce the rates of obesity.
The First Mom has an amazing ability to connect with children by asking for their help to make healthy choices. She encouraged the children in attendance to make better choices, such as less television watching and more activity. FLOTUS also highlighted new sidewalks that the Mayor of Jacksonville had installed.
The goal is ambitious but can be achieved in a generation, which Mrs Obama says can be done when everyone gets involved, including parents, nutritionists, governors and mayors. This may very well be a shining example of how government, parents, and communities can work together.
Posted by Patty Jones
