By Crystal Swann
September 20, 2010

President Barack Obama has proclaimed September National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, building on the momentum of First Lady Michelle Obama's signature issueÑending childhood obesity within a generation. "One of the greatest responsibilities we have as a nation is to safeguard the health and well-being of our children," stated President Obama in his official proclamation. "We now face a national childhood obesity crisis, with nearly one in every three of America's children being overweight or obese. There are concrete steps we can take right away as concerned parents, caregivers, educators, loved ones, and a nation to ensure that our children are able to live full and active lives,"

Since the First Lady launched the "Let's Move" campaign to end childhood obesity at the U.S. Conference of Mayors Winter meeting in January, she has traveled to cities across America, meeting with mayors and other community leaders, to galvanize community support and encourage citizens to get involved, get active and make better food choices.

During a visit to Louisiana earlier this month, the First Lady met with mayors, including New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu, community leaders, sports celebrities and children, where she kicked off the next phase of "Let's Move," which focuses on encouraging schools to participate in the Healthier U.S. School Challenge and to encourage children to participate in the President's Active Lifestyles Award program.

The Healthier U.S. School Challenge program gives recognition to schools participating in the National School Lunch Program that have created healthier school environments through promotion of nutrition and physical activity. The initiative is supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, with technical support provided by the "Chefs Move to Schools" program. Eighteen hundred chefs from across the US have volunteered their time assist schools to develop healthy school lunch menus.

Another key component of the "Let's Move" campaign is the "President's Active Lifestyles Award," recognizing adults and school-aged young people who take on the challenge of being physically active 60 minutes per day, five days per week for six out of eight weeks.

At the Oklahoma City Annual Meeting, the Conference of Mayors adopted a policy resolution supporting the designation of September as Childhood Obesity Awareness Month. The Conference of Mayors has continually encouraged cities to sign up to become a "Let's Move City or Town." This mayor-focused component of the larger national campaign focuses specifically on what mayors can do to encourage their community to engage in activities supporting healthy eating and active lifestyles. Cities can find more information about becoming a "Let's Move City or Town" online at www.letsmove.gov/officials.php.