[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 173 (Thursday, September 6, 2012)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 55093-55094]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-22147]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 77 , No. 173 / Thursday, September 6, 2012 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 55093]]


                Proclamation 8852 of August 31, 2012

                
National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, 2012

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Over the past several decades, childhood obesity has 
                become a serious public health issue that puts millions 
                of our sons and daughters at risk. The stakes are high: 
                if we do not solve this problem, many among America's 
                next generation will face diabetes, heart disease, 
                cancer, and other health problems associated with 
                obesity. Thankfully, while more remains to be done, we 
                are making real progress toward a healthier future for 
                our children. During National Childhood Obesity 
                Awareness Month, we rededicate ourselves to meeting 
                that critical responsibility.

                For more than 2 years, First Lady Michelle Obama's 
                Let's Move! initiative has worked with stakeholders 
                across the private and public sectors to expand access 
                to nutritious food, promote physical activity, 
                encourage healthy food choices, create healthy starts 
                for children, and ensure families have the tools they 
                need to make healthy decisions. Communities from coast 
                to coast are taking action to fulfill those goals. Over 
                4,000 schools have established rigorous nutrition and 
                physical activity standards through the HealthierUS 
                School Challenge, and more than a million Americans 
                have earned the Presidential Active Lifestyle Award by 
                committing to healthy eating and regular exercise. The 
                Healthy Food Financing Initiative is developing 
                projects that increase access to healthy, affordable 
                food in communities that currently lack these options. 
                Let's Move! has also partnered with faith-based and 
                community organizations that are expanding access to 
                fresh fruits and vegetables in their neighborhoods, and 
                local elected officials are leading the way in making 
                healthy changes for cities, towns, and counties across 
                America.

                Earlier this year, my Administration implemented part 
                of the historic Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act by 
                releasing new rules for school lunches and breakfasts 
                that ensure a higher nutritional standard--one that 
                includes more whole grains, vegetables, and fruits, and 
                less fat and sodium. These changes represent the first 
                major revision to school meal requirements in more than 
                15 years, and they come on the heels of recent updates 
                to the Federal Government's Dietary Guidelines for 
                Americans. To commemorate the healthy choices families, 
                schools, and communities are making in kitchens across 
                America, the First Lady was proud to host the first 
                Kids' ``State Dinner'' this summer, which welcomed 54 
                young chefs to the White House for a formal luncheon to 
                celebrate their commitment to healthy, affordable 
                recipes. To find additional information on how we can 
                solve the problem of childhood obesity within a 
                generation, visit www.LetsMove.gov.

                Each of us can play a role in ensuring our children 
                have the opportunity to live long, healthy lives, and 
                by joining together in pursuit of that mission, I am 
                confident we can build a brighter future for America's 
                youth.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the 
                United States of America, by virtue of the authority 
                vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the 
                United States, do hereby proclaim September 2012 as 
                National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month. I encourage 
                all Americans to learn about and engage in activities 
                that promote healthy eating and greater physical 
                activity by all our Nation's children.

[[Page 55094]]

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                thirty-first day of August, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand twelve, and of the Independence of the United 
                States of America the two hundred and thirty-seventh.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2012-22147
Filed 9-5-12; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3295-F2-P