In an effort to continue the momentum from her Let’s Move! campaign, First Lady, Michelle Obama and television star Rachel Ray visited Mississippi on February 27, 2013. Mississippi was all too proud to be a part of the third anniversary of this movement and even happier to report progress over the past three years. Not only are students increasing their physical activity, but school districts are assisting with the cause by improving lunch menus. We’re also hopeful that efforts such as these will produce sustainability of lifestyle changes.
Approximately 400 students at Northside and Eastside Elementary Schools in Clinton, MS converged to listen to the First Lady express her passion to keep children across the country healthy. In her speech to the student body she expressed,
“There’s a reason why I wanted to come here to this state for the very first day of our Let’s Move anniversary tour. And that’s because what’s happening here in Mississippi is really what Let’s Move is all about. It’s the story of what you all have achieved here that we want to tell.”
“Under the leadership of your former governor, folks across this state had already started stepping up to tackle this challenge head on,” the First Lady said. “Your state legislature passed a law bringing more hours of physical activity and health education into your classrooms and your state Board of Education set new standards for food and drinks in our school vending machines.”
Growing evidence suggests comprehensive efforts such as making healthy foods available in schools and communities and integrating physical activity into people’s daily lives are making a difference and having a positive impact on their quality of life.
Having the First Lady visit our state as her initial stop on her Let’s Move! anniversary tour encourages Mississippians to continue in the fight for change and results in our state. There is a growing and concerted effort among Mississippians to see this change take place.