Nearly every First Lady has had a focus while in office, like Mrs. Reagan and drugs and Laura Bush and literacy. Michelle Obama has appeared to have chosen the health of the nation, especially dealing with the threat of exceedingly high obesity rates. Mrs. Obama said in a speech on Wednesday that nearly one third of Americans can be classified as obese, and this number will only continue to grow. It is her goal to promote personal health starting with more nutritious meals and exercise in schools as well as providing more affordable healthy food options and an abundance of information on health and nutrition. Mrs. Obama proposes that the health of the nation will negatively effect our economy with more people needing healthcare involving heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.
I think this is a fantastic issue for the First Lady to approach because health is at the base of life and without it, everything else becomes sort of idle. This topic also seems like one that the First Lady would be able to make some real headway with, it's not to extravagant and yet it is incredibly impactful. I think that this issue definitely needs to be addressed and strictly implemented because schools basically have no incentive now for promoting any physical health as it is. Most meals are dreadful for one's health, and most gym classes are nothing more than social hour. I did find it odd though that the New York Times article would decide to specially note what Mrs. Obama was wearing at the meeting stating, "wearing a plum jacket over a silky leopard-print top." I just find it odd that they would take the time to note this seemingly useless information, but no matter, sexism in America is a topic for another blog.
Links:
http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/01/20/michelle-obama-tackles-childhood-obesity/
http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2010/01/michelle-obamas-antiobesity-movement.html
No comments:
Post a Comment