Let’s Move!

Let’s Move! is a federal initiative dedicated to solving the growing problem of childhood obesity. The First Lady, Michelle Obama, launched Let’s Move! in February 2010. To support this effort, President Barack Obama signed a Presidential Memorandum creating a Task Force on Childhood Obesity. This Taskforce developed a national strategy, identified benchmarks, and developed an action plan for the initiative. In addition, the Taskforce will be responsible for reviewing all programs and policies relating to child nutrition and physical activity.

Based on the Taskforce’s recommendations, Let’s Move! national efforts focus on: 1) creating a healthy start for children; 2) empowering parents and caregivers; 3) providing healthy foods in schools; 4) improving access to healthy, affordable foods; and 5) increasing physical activity. The national goal is to reduce the rate of childhood obesity to five percent by 2030.

Let’s Move! is dedicated to solving the problem of obesity within a generation so that kids born today will grow up healthier and able to pursue their dreams.

Since the launch of the initiative, Let’s Move! has achieved many accomplishments across the focus areas. For example: A coalition of the Fruit and Vegetable Alliance, the Food, Family and Farming Foundation and the United Fresh Produce Association has committed to putting 6,000 salad bars in schools across the country over the next three years; the US Soccer Foundation, Major League Soccer, Women's Professional Soccer, the National Alliance for Hispanic Health, and other organizations supported a series of 25 youth clinics nationwide; and almost 500 communities have signed up for Let’s Move Cities and Towns, a program where local leaders are bringing Let’s Move! to their community and committing to making significant changes to support the health of their residents.