DOT, First Lady & Childhood Obesity Task Force share important goal: Let's Move!

Three months ago, President Obama announced a Childhood Obesity Task Force, headed by First Lady Michelle Obama, to encourage children to exercise more and adopt healthier eating habits.

One of the first steps the Administration took was establishing letsmove.gov, a great web resource for parents and others interested in healthier American children. Another key step in that process is the Interagency Action Plan released today by the First Lady and other task force leaders.

Here at DOT we support the First Lady's efforts wholeheartedly, and we're particularly interested in the report's Chapter V: Increasing Physical Activity, which includes a section on "The Built Environment."

We know that our "all-digital-all-the-time world" doesn't always encourage us to live the healthiest lives we can. That's why we're working hard to make it easier for Americans to walk or bike safely in their communities. And when kids see that more adults are choosing to walk or bike, they are more likely to exercise healthier transportation options.

And walking and biking aren't just good for our health; they're good for our environment, and they're ways of getting around that Americans have said they want.

• That's why, in March, we announced our new bicycle and pedestrian policy initiative.
• That's why, last year, we established our Livability Principles.
• That's why we support Safe Routes to School programs.
• That's why we support Complete Streets .
• That's why we've used TIGER discretionary funds to support projects that benefit their communities.

Each of these actions makes it easier and safer for Americans to have foot or pedal access to key services and to the jobs they need.

But look, when we talk about encouraging bicycling and walking, we're not talking about taking away anyone's roads, cars, or trucks.

We're only talking about adding options to the mix.

We're talking about joining the First Lady and the Childhood Obesity Task Force in saying--to those who want to get around their communities on foot or by pedal power--let's move!

Comments

[Shaynetrimbell]

I think this is great. Government is finally learning that the problems our nation faces are so interconnected that they can not be solved individually. When children walk more, they will less likely to be overweight, but it will also teach them that driving isn't always required. Kudos to the Obama administration for their foresight.

[John Corrigan]

Those kids in the photo are cute, but where are their helmets? It's never too early to teach basic safety.

[steve]

This is very very important stuff.

My friend Colleen actively promotes biking for kids to get them out of the house and exercising. The problem is she's too tall for anything but a custom bike. Trek heard about her program and stepped in and made a special bike for her - the first she's had that fits since she was a kid.

http://www.6footsix.com/my_weblog/2010/02/trek-is-here.html

[Ayurveda group]

As we continue to grapple with Obesity, a question that is not getting too much attention is the role Alternative systems of medicine like Ayurveda can play in controlling / curing Diabetes. A system based on Nature can not be all that bad :-)

[Channa Antman]

This is great news; I wish the government would have done it years ago. it is the government responsibility to educate the public on preventing diseases. Obese children turn into obese adults which are faced with health issues like Diabetes. Of course our over sized meals contribute to this but the use of cars instead of bikes and walking, kids sitting in front of the computer and TV snaking while they do also contributes to being overweight.
Keep up the great work

[abiti da cerimonia uomo]

I would make a bike of its size! I see no other solution!

[Pedometers]

What a great program! Childhood obesity and the medical issues that go a long with it a big problem in this country. Hopefully this Mrs. Obama and the task force can get the word out and help families to make some lifestyle changes.