Lets MoveAmericas Move to Raise a Healthier Generation of
Kids
Jenny FlorinNUR 512Jacksonville UniversityJuly 31, 2015
7/31/20151
1
The physical and emotional health of an entire generation and
the economic health and security of our nation is at stake First
Lady Michelle Obama7/31/20152
Table of ContentsOverview of the Lets Move programThe severity
of childhood obesityMonitoring program managementAre we seeing a
change?Sustainability
Funding accountability Revising program interventionsProviding
information Reporting unintended effectsAccreditation
7/31/20153
Overview of the Lets Move programEstablished in 2010 by First
Lady Michelle ObamaComprehensive initiative to help reduce
childhood obesityFive pillars of the initiative (Lets Move,
n.d)Creating a healthy start for childrenEmpowering parents and
caregiversProviding healthy foods in schoolsImproving access to
healthy, affordable foodsIncreasing physical activityEncourages
children to make healthier food choices7/31/20154
4
Overview of the Lets Move programEncourages parents,
communities, governmental agencies, schools, healthcare
professionals, and others to get involved in the fight against
childhood obesityLead to establishment of many other plans and
programs includingWhite House Task Force on Childhood
ObesityHealthy, Hunger Free Kids ActHealthier US School
ChallengeSchool Salad BarsChefs Move to Schoolsand
more7/31/20155
(Let's Move, n.d)
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Overview of the Lets Move programIncluded in the following
Healthy People 2020 objectivesEducational and community-based
programsMaternal, infant, and child healthNutrition and weight
statusPhysical activityHealth communication and health information
technology
7/31/20156
(Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, n.d.)
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Because of the increasing rates of obesity, unhealthy eating
habits and physical inactivity, we may see the first generation
that will be less healthy and have a shorter life expectancy than
their parents The American Heart Association7/31/20157
Severity of Childhood Obesity2.6 million people die each year as
a result of being overweight or obese (World Health Organization,
n.d.)Obesity rates in children have doubled and quadrupled in
adolescents in the past 30 years (Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, n.d.)About 1 in 3 children and adolescents are
overweight or obese (American Heart Association, 2014)The
prevalence of obesity is highest among older and Mexican-American
children and non-Hispanic black girls (Office of Disease Prevention
and Health Promotion, n.d.)Childhood obesity is associated with a
higher rate of premature death and disability in adulthood (World
Health Organization, n.d.)Childhood obesity is now the number 1
health concern of parents (American Heart Association,
2014)7/31/20158
Health Problems Associated with Childhood ObesityCardiovascular
diseaseDiabetesAsthmaCancerBone and joint problemsSleep
problemsNonalcoholic fatty liver
Behavior and learning problemsDepressionAnxietyEating
disordersBullying
7/31/20159
(Mayo Clinic Staff, n.d.)
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Monitoring Program OutcomesLets Move is linked to many different
programs Data collection is obtained from many different areas
includingFederal, State, and Local government surveys and
studiesNational Health and Nutrition Examination SurveyHealthy
People 2020The White House Task Force on Childhood ObesityMakes
recommendations on further prevention of childhood obesityTracks
and monitors effects of programs like the Lets Move ProgramReports
directly to President ObamaThe Partnership for a Healthier America
(PHA)Works in conjunction with the Lets Move program to track,
monitor, and report findings
7/31/201510
(Let's Move, n.d)
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Are We Seeing a Change?Lets Move is having an impact on the
prevention of childhood obesitySchools are receiving increased
funding for meals to ensure more children have access to healthier
mealsThe USDA has changed nutritional guidelines for school meals
increasing fruit and vegetable recommendationsThe number of schools
participating in such programs as the Healthier US School Challenge
and School Salad Bars has increasedThe Presidents Challenge Youth
Fitness test has been updated based on the Lets Move programThe
Partnership for a Healthier America has expanded participation
7/31/201511
(Let's Move, n.d)
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Are We Seeing a Change?Increased participation from the private
sector has also been seen Disney now requires that food and
beverages advertised on their media channels meet federal
nutritional standardsBirds Eye has committed to increase funding on
marketing and advertising to encourage children to consume and
enjoy vegetablesCommunities are also increasing
participationDeveloping safe places for children to
play7/31/201512
(Let's Move, n.d)
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Are We Seeing a Change?Lets Move is a relatively new
programFurther studies must be conducted to see its true effects on
obesity ratesThe National Health and Nutrition Examination
SurveyConducted by the Centers for Disease Control and
PreventionScheduled for 2017-20187/31/201513
(Let's Move, n.d)
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SustainabilityChildhood obesity is preventableParticipation is
needed from every sectorHealthy People objectives and topics are
continuously revised with new goals developed to maintain the
nations healthHealthy People program has been ongoing for 30
yearsLets Move is included in many Healthy People objectivesLets
Move has received commitments from several governmental agencies
and the private sector to decrease childhood obesity over the next
several years
7/31/201514
(Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, n.d.)
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Funding Accountability
Participation is voluntaryFunding for the Lets Move Program
comes fromFederal, State, and Local governmental agenciesPrivate
sector sponsorships and partnershipsFor-profit and non-profit
organizationsEach sector contributing to Lets Move have different
reporting criteriaSemi-annual and annual financial reports
7/31/201515
(Let's Move, n.d)
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Revising Program InterventionsNew programs, partnerships, and
commitments have been madeDevelopment of new governmental task
forcesChanges made by the USDAChanges to be made with further study
results7/31/201516
Providing InformationLets Move provides information on Number of
participating schoolsHow to join the Lets Move
programAccomplishmentsChildhood obesityAll reports regarding the
Lets Move program and childhood obesity are available through
various sites and organizations includingThe Lets Move websiteThe
Partnership for a Healthier AmericaHealthypeople.govThe White House
Task Force on Childhood ObesityThe Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention
7/31/201517
Reporting Unintended EffectsIt is still a new program with many
changes and challenges yet to comeNo unintended effects have been
found with Lets MoveFurther studies may reveal unintended
effects
7/31/201518
AccreditationAccreditation is not associated with the Lets Move
Program7/31/201519
Good habits formed at youth make all the difference
Aristotle7/31/201520
ReferencesAmerican Heart Association. (2014). Overweight in
Children. Retrieved from
http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/GettingHealthy/Overweight-in-Children_UCM_30454_Article.jspCenter
for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Childhood Obesity
Facts. Retrieved from
http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/obesity/facts.htmLets Move.(n.d.)
Lets Move: Americas Move to Raise a Healthier Generation of Kids.
Retrieved from http://www.letsmove.govMayo Clinic Staff. (n.d.).
Diseases and Conditions: Childhood Obesity. Retrieved from
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/childhood-obesity/basics/complications/con-20027428?p=1
7/31/201521
ReferencesOffice of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.
(n.d.). Healthy People 2020: Nutrition and Weight Status. Retrieved
from
http://www.healthpeople.gov/2020/topics-objectives/topic/nutrition-and-weight-statusOffice
of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. (n.d.). Lets Move
Campaign. Retrieved from
http://www.healthpeople.gov/2020/prevention-portal-508/initiatives/Lets-Move-CampaignWorld
Health Organization. (n.d.). Why Does Childhood Overweight and
Obesity Matter? Retrieved from
http://www.who.int/dietphysicalactivity/childhood_consequences/en/7/31/201522
