[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 127, 113th Congress, 1st Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
PROCLAMATION 9007--AUG. 30, 2013

Proclamation 9007 of August 30, 2013

National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, 2013
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
In the United States, obesity affects millions of children and
teenagers, raising their risk of developing serious health problems,
including diabetes, cancer, asthma, heart disease, and high blood
pressure. While childhood obesity remains a serious public health issue,
we have made significant strides toward stemming the tide. After three
decades of dramatic increases in obesity rates among America's youth,
recent studies by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
indicate that rates are holding steady and even decreasing in some
areas. During National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, let us build
on this momentum and strengthen the trend toward healthier lifestyles
and brighter futures for our Nation's children.
First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move! initiative is on the front lines
in the fight against childhood obesity. With partners across the public
and private sectors and through targeted programs, this comprehensive
campaign aims to solve the challenge of childhood obesity within a
generation. Let's Move! is dedicated to making nutritious food more


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available and affordable, helping kids get active, and fostering
environments that support healthy choices.
To this end, the initiative is always looking for new ways to engage
parents, families, kids, and communities. We launched Let's Move! Active
Schools to help bring physical activity back into the school day. We are
teaming up with mayors, faith leaders, and businesses to make the
healthy choice the easy choice for families. And we are working with the
Department of Agriculture to provide more nutritious school lunches and
snacks.
Through the Affordable Care Act, my Administration is expanding access
to services that can help all Americans reach and maintain a healthy
weight. Thanks to this law, millions of children can receive obesity
screening and counseling at no out-of-pocket cost to their parents. The
Affordable Care Act also created the Community Transformation Grant
Program, which is tackling the root causes of chronic disease, including
poor nutrition and lack of physical activity. Through this initiative,
communities across our country are working with public health leaders,
businesses, schools, faith-based organizations, and individuals to build
partnerships that promote healthy lifestyles.
We all share in the responsibility of helping our Nation's children
enjoy longer, healthier lives. Together, we can give them the energy and
confidence to learn, excel, and pursue their dreams.
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 2013 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 thirtieth day of
August, in the year of our Lord two thousand thirteen, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
eighth.
BARACK OBAMA