[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 171 (Thursday, September 3, 2015)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 53447-53448]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-22329]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 171 / Thursday, September 3, 2015 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 53447]]


                Proclamation 9311 of August 31, 2015

                
National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, 2015

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Five years ago, our Nation came together to put an end 
                to the preventable epidemic of childhood obesity and 
                observed National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month for 
                the first time. Since then, childhood obesity rates 
                have stopped rising, and we have seen an encouraging 
                drop in obesity rates among children ages 2 to 5 years 
                old. Despite this progress, more work remains to ensure 
                every young person can lead a prosperous and productive 
                life--more than 30 percent of American children are 
                still overweight or obese. This month, we pause to 
                remember our commitment to our Nation's youth and renew 
                our focus on improving the health and well-being of our 
                country's most precious resource.

                This year marks the fifth anniversary of First Lady 
                Michelle Obama's Let's Move! initiative, which has 
                partnered with parents, community leaders, and 
                professionals across the public and private sectors to 
                encourage and expand access to the physical activities 
                and nutritious foods that help our kids grow up 
                healthy. Millions of children are now attending schools 
                and day care centers that serve healthier food and 
                ensure kids get the 60 minutes of physical activity a 
                day they need. Across America, city, town, and county 
                governments are supporting these efforts--building 
                communities where kids can safely walk or bike to 
                school, participate in a summer meal program, or join a 
                local athletic league. And we are proud that our 
                Nation's businesses have joined in the fight by working 
                to create healthier kids' menus at restaurants and cut 
                trillions of calories from the food and beverage 
                products children consume. All Americans can do their 
                part to combat childhood obesity, and I invite everyone 
                to visit www.LetsMove.gov to learn more about our 
                accomplishments and find additional resources on how to 
                help children eat well and stay active.

                To solve the problem of childhood obesity within a 
                generation, we must ensure the advances we have made 
                are not reversed, including by upholding science-based 
                nutrition standards for school meals. By improving 
                nutritional quality in federally supported school 
                lunches and breakfasts, we are not only ensuring 
                children have access to the nourishing food they need 
                to make healthy choices and succeed in school, but we 
                are also providing the foundation for a stronger, 
                healthier society. As a Nation, we can expand on this 
                progress by working to make sure the same quality food 
                is accessible to all children at home, no matter who 
                they are or where they live. This will require our 
                country to continue focusing on the local availability 
                and affordability of healthy foods--an effort I am 
                committed to supporting as President. Additionally, my 
                Administration is fighting to ensure families have 
                opportunities to be active and get outside together, 
                and that is why we launched our Every Kid in a Park 
                initiative, which provides all fourth graders and their 
                families with free access to our National Parks and 
                other Federal lands for an entire year.

                During National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month and 
                throughout the entire year, let us each commit to 
                reaching toward a healthy lifestyle so we can serve as 
                examples of healthy eating and active living for our 
                Nation's children. Eliminating childhood obesity will 
                require every American to play

[[Page 53448]]

                their part, and together we can work toward building 
                healthy, active communities where all children can 
                realize their dreams and meet their full potential.

                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 2015 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.

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

[FR Doc. 2015-22329
Filed 9-2-15; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3295-F5