[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 171 (Thursday, September 4, 2014)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 52941-52942]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-21256]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 79 , No. 171 / Thursday, September 4, 2014 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 52941]]


                Proclamation 9156 of August 29, 2014

                
National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, 2014

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Childhood obesity is one of the most urgent health 
                issues we face in the United States. Nearly one in 
                three American children are overweight or obese, 
                putting them at risk for many immediate and long-term 
                health problems--including high cholesterol, high blood 
                pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. As a 
                Nation, we have a responsibility to ensure our children 
                have every chance to fulfill their potential, and that 
                starts by providing them with the opportunities to make 
                healthy choices. Recent data show progress is possible: 
                obesity rates have fallen by 43 percent among children 
                ages two to five years old. But we must remain 
                committed to improving the health of kids of all ages. 
                This month, we build on our progress and raise 
                awareness of the benefits of healthy eating and active 
                living so our children can lead prosperous and 
                productive lives.

                First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move! initiative is 
                striving to ensure every young person has a chance at a 
                healthy childhood. For more than 4 years, Let's Move! 
                has brought together stakeholders across the public and 
                private sectors to encourage and expand access to 
                physical activity and nutritious foods--two components 
                of a healthy lifestyle. Across America, more 
                communities have gained access to healthy and 
                affordable food and the information needed to make more 
                nutritious choices. Businesses are marketing healthier 
                foods to kids, and families are buying healthier 
                products.

                Family members, caregivers, and other role models can 
                also play a critical role in helping children make 
                healthy choices. Those who support our kids can model 
                healthy behaviors by staying active and preparing 
                healthy meals at home. Families can plant kitchen 
                gardens, cook together, and encourage lifestyle choices 
                that support a healthy weight.

                My Administration is working to make sure the hard work 
                parents and caregivers are doing to teach kids healthy 
                habits will not be undone outside the home. We have 
                fought to improve the overall quality of school meals, 
                and as students return to school this fall, they will 
                have more opportunities than ever before to make 
                healthy choices--including changes in foods offered in 
                vending machines and a la carte lines. This past year, 
                my Administration announced a new proposal to prohibit 
                items that cannot be sold or served in schools from 
                being marketed in schools. These measures build on the 
                progress already made by the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids 
                Act of 2010, which this year will allow more than 
                22,000 schools across the country to qualify to serve 
                free, healthy breakfasts and lunches for all their 
                students.

                Each American has an important part to play as we build 
                healthier communities for young people across our 
                Nation. During National Childhood Obesity Awareness 
                Month, we continue our work to provide every child with 
                healthy food, active play, and a good example to 
                follow. By committing to a healthy lifestyle for our 
                families and eating right ourselves, we can help turn 
                the tide against childhood obesity across our country.

                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 2014 as 
                National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month. I encourage 
                all Americans

[[Page 52942]]

                to learn about and engage in activities that promote 
                healthy eating and greater physical activity by all our 
                Nation's children.

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

[FR Doc. 2014-21256
Filed 9-3-14; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3295-F4