photo by Ian Britton

Earlier this week, the First Lady, Michelle Obama, announced her initiative to combat childhood obesity.  The program, called Let’s Move! focuses on children and their parents to make healthier choices.  The key components include:

• improving information to make better food choices, such as clearer labeling
• improving the quality of food in the schools
• improving access and affordability of healthy food
• increase physical education for kids

As Mrs. Obama states, “It’s not about weight…it’s about fitness and it’s about overall nutrition.”

Clinicians in home care know all too well what can happen to a person if healthier choices in diet and exercise are not started early in life.  Many times when speaking to patients about the foods they eat, I try to encourage them to make changes not only for themselves, but for their children and grandchildren who are watching and “taking notes”.  Access to good food is a challenge for some, and exercise may not be a top priority for someone right after surgery.

Making changes is not always easy. However what I like about the Let’s Move! initiative, is that it can start a conversation within families about the choices they make, the ways to make improvements and encourages the maintainance of good habits already established.

Just say to yourself, the time is now.