Michelle Obama has been the focus of a media blitz lately celebrating the first anniversary of her “Let’s Move,” campaign geared to encourage fitness and healthy eating among young people. Though the right-wing has sniped at Mrs. Obama in the past, touting her as some kind of radical pushing vegetables on the nation’s children (how horrible!) the level of enthusiasm for this worthy campaign has been her rising approval levels (at 73% in December, according to CNN) which most often are higher than her husband’s. But the greatest draw for her ”Let’s Move” campaign has been Obama herself.
As evidenced by her toned arms, flat stomach and tight butt (referenced by rappers and right-winters alike) on display when she gave out the Oscar for Best Picture live from the White House Sunday night, in a historical moment for the Academy Awards, Obama practices what she preaches. She’s been quoted as saying working out helps her keep her busy schedule and like many mothers, her healthy lifestyle sets an example for her two daughters, 11-year-old Sasha and 14-year-old Malia. Her campaign includes a printable pledge for parents to sign that encourages them to provide a healthy atmosphere for their children’s health and includes “Let’s Move” meetups in over 400 cities around the country where parents and caregivers can come together to discuss and share information about preventing obesity and encouraging fitness. The site includes information geared specifically to families, communities and schools. In 2010, Obama joined with the USDA to encourage more schools to comply with the Healthier US School Challenge that applies stringent criteria to schools committed to nutrition and fitness. Last year, Mrs. Obama announced that 2,862 schools nationwide now met the standard, more than she anticipated at the start of the challenge.
