Let's Move!

In light of today's class discussion ignited by The Omnivore's Dilemma, I found this recent news quite pertinent. Michelle Obama launched a program in February to "reshape childhood eating and exercise habits" within one generation called "Let's Move."

We know that obesity in America is a big problem. We now know that politics are strongly wound up in our food choices. We know that things should change in the way of food production. We tend to overlook the fact that food is produced the way it is in order to suit our American lifestyle.

In the same way that most people don't consider lifestyle modifications when they are diagnosed with heart disease (they would rather just be medicated), people don't think to modify their lives to fight obesity. But Michelle Obama did, and she is planning to get into the school system to make some changes. Now, I don't know all the details of the program, but it sounds like a good idea to me. I believe that nutritional education is a key factor in changing the way America eats.

But it's not only in nutritional knowledge; it's in the lifestyle. We need to get moving. We need to use the calories we consume. We need to get outside. P.E. itself is not the solution. Unfortunately, it sounds like that's where Mrs. Obama is aiming, much like the P.E. programs I suffered through in elementary school. The incentive of the "Presidential Award" for push-ups or whatever was less than inspiring. It did not make me want to keep that way of life.

I hope that schools will provide healthier options to children, with proper portions, more fruits and vegetables and less added salt and sugar. I hope that families will take these ideas into consideration for themselves as well, and not just think that everything's fine since the kids are eating better at school. I hope that real, fun activities will become integral to education and that children will want to get outside and do things. I hope that this small task force can make a difference.

But ultimately, I believe it is up to each individual to make these choices. Education and awareness are only the first steps to changing a whole (huge and convoluted) system.