First lady details obesity campaign

Source: Politico

Michelle Obama on Tuesday outlined a campaign to curb childhood obesity, her signature issue, by changing the way foods are labeled and served and urging families to make healthier choices.

The “Let’s Move” initiative seeks to add more fruits, vegetables and whole grains to school meals, as well as eliminate so-called food deserts, poor neighborhoods that are more than a mile from a supermarket. The campaign also expands fitness programs to encourage students to be physically active.

By the end of the year, the Food and Drug Administration will be working with retailers and manufacturers to put nutrition labels on the front of food packages. And a website for the campaign, LetsMove.gov, gives tips on shopping and strategies for parents.

A wealth of Cabinet members are involved in the effort – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, Education Secretary Arne Duncan, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan and Labor Secretary Hilda Solis, as well as the surgeon general, Regina Benjamin.


Read more: http://www.politico.com/politico44/perm/0210/how_our_kids_feel_a293cc20-9e91-44c1-a5ce-2376f5906958.html

With Health care reform.

going to fix the system that has little or no regulation as to what is in food? going to put all those people back to work so they can actually afford healthy food?

until then, PR.

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And there is also some debate as to what constitutes a "healthy" diet.

it would be interesting to see how and what would be imposed on people...

... unless you consider legible food labeling or supermarkets in poor neighborhoods an imposition. They're talking about ENCOURAGING sound nutritional choices by giving parents information, and making sure healthy options are available.

Don't worry, you'll still be able to feed your children what you choose to.

I also think that the majority of Americans are ALREADY well educated in what constitutes "proper" nutrition. Unfortunately, in this economy, as well as being less expensive, "bad" food is often easier and quicker to prepare after a grueling day at work. Most of us aren't lucky enough to have a private cook and an unlimited grocery budget.

And to make matters worse, "proper nutrition" isn't the same for all people. Proper nutrition for me and many others consists of low carbohydrate, moderate protein and what nutritionists would consider high fat. It's the only way I can keep my blood sugars in line, raise my HDL, lower my triglycerides and prevent weight gain. Eating whole grains and drinking orange juice isn't "healthy" for me. For others, a vegetarian diet is effective.

But talk about empty calories! I'm partial to that neon orange mac and cheese too. ;) I do try to eat healthy food, but sometimes it's a pain in the ass. Glad I don't have kids.

Actually, I don't believe that what the average American considers proper eating is how any human should eat!

I am the only one in my family who has never been fat, because a long time ago I stopped with the "3 meals per day and a snack" mentality. I never eat first thing in the morning, because when I wake up I am not at all hungry. I never eat unless I am experiencing hunger pangs, I eat what I crave, and I stop when I'm not hungry any more. I deny myself nothing, but try to make healthy choices. But if I haven't had fudge cake in a while and it's there looking at me, I eat it and enjoy it without guilt. If you take away the forbidden aspect, the longing, the addiction goes away - at least that's how it worked for me.

and move more.

Another opiate (it curbs hunger lol but is a bit pricey)

Cocaine is not an opiate. ;)

Besides, when Michelle's husband actually decides to quit smoking for good, only then will he have any credibility on personal health issues.

out there and let people make their choice, PS if your gonna take away my cheeseburger then your are first going to have to take my rifle :)

have you seen this? Its just another Just Say NO campaign. IMHO


Forum Name Latest Breaking News
Topic subject Obama wants school vending machines banned
Topic URL http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x4261074#4261074
4261074, Obama wants school vending machines banned
Posted by vegiegals on Mon Feb-08-10 09:05 PM

Source: AP

On this or any other hot button health issue,

It's going to cost our healthcare system bllions, and it's largely a self-inflicted, preventable, correctable problem. We need to approach it head-on, even if a few people are embarrassed or feel bad about themselves for a while.

Your "Codeine" handle is really sort of hilarious on this particular thread. Was Vicodin taken?

A fantastic band on SubPop Records in the late 80s. Pioneered slow-core.

Please spare me the hypocrite bullshit...I don't give a flying F if it was "slow core" or WTF?--people struggling, trying to feed their kids, have no F'ing idea what "slow core" is from the 80's--nor do they care. Many of them weren't born/weren't/aren't listening to oldie moldy's from the 80's currently, nor are they equating bad 80's music with daily living (might as well present a little rascal wheelchair reference, because that is about how current and relevant that is)

It's just an internet handle, for goodness sakes! :rofl: You brought it up, not me. I've used it for many years. It's not supposed to be "relevant" any more than my real name would be.

What exactly this has to do with eating smaller portions and not being obese is completely beyond me, but you're a funny one. :hi:

people struggling, trying to feed their kids, have no F'ing idea what "slow core" is from the 80's.

Great band, by the way.

Hello? Eating healthy goes hand and hand with earning a good living wage. Looked at the price of fruits and veggies and fish lately Michelle?

Let's make JOBS a banner issue and spare the public this food police crap...

This is a loser "banner issue" IMO esp in THIS awful economy--hell some people are struggling just to FEED their kids currently! :(

there was a time when PE was a class all the way through junior and senior high school

we had twinkees and hohos then too

but the money bastards who got tired of paying taxes to support the school system.....
music is gone
art is gone
PHYSICAL EDUCATION is gone....

and all you can see from back here is SOME CHILD'S LEFT BEHIND (AND OF COURSE HIS RIGHT BEHIND AS WELL)

If not, it was just a statement borne of ignorance.

school,church,park,mall etc.

And try to make them feel worthless.

Going to PE is torture when you are always the last kid chosen for any competitive game.

Going to PE is torture when you are punished by being forced to run up and down the stadium because you are two grades ahead of all the others and can't keep up with the older kids, a year can make a big difference in athletic ability at that age.

PE in school ended up giving me a lifelong hatred of organized sports..

You weren't any good at dodge ball?

I think yes, kids need more exercise but if they are eating hamburger helper or mac and cheese all the time it isn't helping, that's for sure.

:shrug:

I was just in the office of somebody who makes half a million dollars a year, their "lunch" was a bag of cookies and a 2 quart bottle of Dr. Pepper with a straw in it.

Everything else seems to be a priority.

But then, to improve the jobs situation, the President and Congress would have to ditch the extreme globalist economic theories that are not working well for far too many Americans.

I don't see that happening until people are rioting in the streets.

Not very popular on this thread, but that was my point!

We keep trying to create an economic stimulus program to give people jobs, yet at the same time we wave our good jobs good-bye to be offshored to another country. It makes no sense.

from diseases such as high blood pressure and diabetes? At least Michelle is trying to help them. All your histrionics and "concern" about the poor doesn't seem to take that into consideration. I think that is just strange...

Ugh.

One does not deny the other, nor is one predicated on the other.

As far as I can tell, world hunger is a major priority of most Americans, as well as most of the world.

I suppose it depends on one's perception...

First it was say no to drugs, no it is say no to hamburgers. How about we make "feed hungry kids" the new signature issue?

Ok... you're tired of certain programs. :shrug:

I don't think the war on obesity by MO is a good banner issue. I think I was agreeing with you.

because of obesity?

Yes, I suppose you are.

Say no to drugs.

> Kids are going to bed hungry, but we're focused on the obese.

Take some of group B and feed them to group A and everyone will be happy!

Thank you! That'll be one Nobel Peace Prize to go please!
:bounce: :party: :woohoo: :hide:

Obesity and starvation are actually tied through their common denominator: poverty. Physical fitness and nutrition are issues of economy, income and class. Much obesity comes through poverty and lack of education: poorly made, un-nutritious, pre-packaged foods full of fats and empty carbs. Healthy eating is expensive.

The rich are obese or starving only for as long as they want to be. Everyone else must suffer with what they can afford. People, especially the rich, like to think that nutrition and weight are matters of choice but the only thing this opinion does is flatter their own egos into believing themselves superior.

That is exactly what I was trying to communicate earlier on this thread and I got slammed.

That would help people during hard economic times.

Church and community organizations could help with canning parties for produce that couldn't be eaten fresh.

She just looks out of touch with this, even though obesity often results in health problems.

Tips for canning and growing fresh foods (for canning or otherwise) would be useful.

Some foods like kale, which are incredibly nutritious, can be grown year-round in home gardens. How many kids these days have been introduced to wholesome old-time vegetables like greens and root vegetables? Shoot, even here in northern WV I am able to grow kale, parsnips and brussels sprouts in winter. After Halloween is over I'm able to get any leftover pumpkins for literally next to nothing. From those I'm able not only to harvest the seeds for roasting a tasty treat, but I'm able to cut up the pumpkin flesh for roasting and making hearty soups. Cut into chunks, pumpkin stores well in the freezer. One large acorn squash stuffed with rice can serve three or four people. I could go on, but you get the idea. There are ways to eat healthy and on a budget, even grow your own veggies in plastic tub if you don't have space for a garden. These are the kinds of ideas I'd like to see promoted. Many kids are obese not because of the quantity of food they are eating but the quality of the food. Corn is not the only vegetable and veggies aren't just toppings on a pizza!

With one in five hungry in this country, it would be better to promote home gardens.

When people don't have much money they look for cheap inferior foods like packaged foods which lead to obesity.

I think this problem isn't going to get better until we can improve the employment situation and incomes of the poor and working class. The current food stamp programs doesn't provide enough food/money to participating persons/families either.

I think the problem is much broader than the First Lady has defined it. She is not addressing the root problems.

She started that last year.

Find something real to whine about...

Is she talking about planning her garden?

I haven't heard her.

Instead, she's talking about obesity, and has talked about her own tween children's weight. Bringing up her own children's weight issues was cruel, IMHO. Tween girls, especially older tweens like Malia, are often very, very sensitive about their weights. How would you have felt if your mom had talked about your weight on the national media?

At any rate, the weight issue and her husband's vending machine talk has taken the focus off growing your own vegetables at a time when food budgets are very tight for many people.

So long as I'm whining, I think that she should also talk about non-organic gardening. Not everyone is into organic, and the seeds that are readily available in most communities are not necessarily the ones most suited to organic methods. She can talk about composting, but I think that she should explain the use of moderate amounts of commercial garden fertilizer and pesticides as well.

She needs to stay on message and get out of DC more often. Folks in Detroit and Cleveland, where there are so few jobs, could some encouragement to garden and some help in doing so. This will be especially important if extended unemployment benefits don't make it through the Senate.

without a yard to grow a garden in. :shrug:

It would be terrific for her to champion them in connection with her family garden program.

I won't stop bitching and whining and moaning until both Obamas focus on the fact that not just decent jobs are going away, but that all jobs are going away.

Lately the Obamas both have been acting as though jobs are not a problem. Certainly, for their friends there are no problems, but their friends are not representative of this country. The sooner the extremely intelligent Obamas figure this out, the better off we'll all be.

Childhood obesity is a huge problem in this country and can lead to a lifetime of health issues. I don't see any problem with making this a focus. I'm especially happy to hear of the plans to add more healthy foods to school meals. It seems to me that her initiatives ARE focusing on low-income families. Why all the bitching?

In my area, when A-hole Bush took office... the river here, was just about cleaned up. People could fish and (GASP) actually EAT what they caught!

When bush got in office, he rolled that back, so now we are back to, throw it back in the river and don't swim in said river (STILL although I am sure that will take time to rectify)

Obama needs to get all over the mercury levels in the rivers again.

Nobody likes to hear about their own flaws.

is there a McDonald's in The Children's Hospital in Los Angeles. I couldn't believe it when I saw it. Shouldn't hospitals be setting good examples too? It's appalling.

I was there when my 93 year old mother fell and broke her arm in 2005. I was appalled.

that's being added to food like corn syrup instead of sugar.

When Michele Obama starts getting real about this issue, I'll listen.

Until then, it's just b.s.

Don't give up so fast. People can be educated, just as they were on tobacco. People got the word on it and stopped smoking in droves. I now see products proudly saying "NO high fructose corn syrup" on the package, which I never saw before. When enough people learn about common sense nutrition they will change their eating habits. Wanting a ban on the stuff is magical thinking. The way to put the makers of HFCS out of business is to, well, put them out of business...don't buy their product and they'll have to go into another line of business...

"that's being added to food like corn syrup instead of sugar"

Nonsense once again. HFCS and sugar have the same caloric density and are handled by the body the same way.

Don't believe all the crap you read about corn syrup.

Everything in moderation

If obesity is her most passionate cause, the woman needs to get out more. There are real issues - like no health care, poverty, teen violence, drugs.

As it stands, it looks like it was dreampt up by her press secretary for postering.

It is going to end up being the #1 killer at some point.

Unless you are one of those people who count the 350 pound person who dies of a heart attack at age 40 as actually dieing from a heart attack.

she should have continued in that vein with emphasis on feeding our

hungry, poor, homeless, impoverished in America --