Tuned Into Childhood Obesity

Lately, I can't help but notice that the spotlight on childhood obesity in America has been turned up a notch - and I couldn't be more pleased!

Almost exactly three years ago, First Lady Michelle Obama, made reducing childhood obesity her personal agenda with the unveiling of her Let's Move program.
Although this program has recently undergone criticism from both ends of the political spectrum, the Let's Move campaign was really the first major move the U.S. government has made at addressing the issue, and with good reason.  In 2009, it was estimated that the direct and indirect costs of obesity within America is around $147 billion annually.

More recently, childhood obesity has been given center stage through cable broadcasting, allowing the issue to reach more widespread than the Let's Move campaign (let's face it, most people watch more nightly TV than they do keeping abreast on the latest government agendas). 

Oh Jamie Oliver, how I love you....

       - In 2010, ABC aired Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution.  Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver, along with producer Ryan Seacrest, set out in Huntington, West Virginia (statistically one of the most unhealthy towns in the U.S.) to tackle obesity by reforming the school lunch programs and instilling change in the town's eating habits. Sadly, as much as I loved the show, it failed to gather much of a following, and was replaced by Dancing With The Stars only 2 episodes into it's second season.

The Biggest Loser airs on Monday at 8/7c on NBC

      - Currently, the widely popular NBC series, The Biggest Loser, announced that for it's 2013 season 14, the show would not only "challenge America" to shed it's extra pounds, but it would also be turning it's attention to childhood obesity.  During the season 14 premier, three "Childhood Ambassadors of Change" were introduced.  These three children, all over-weight and/or obese, were each paired with a Biggest Loser trainer, and from home, with the exception of participating in the weekly team challenge, will be coached on how to  make the necessary changes to their lifestyles to get healthy. They are never weighted in, they are not part of the elimination based competition, and of course the trainers use more "kid friendly" approach with them.  I've been tuning in weekly, and so far I have nothing but praise.  

       - Finally, last night I tuned in to Our America on the OWN network.  On this weeks episode, Generation XXL, Lisa Ling investigated...you guessed it...childhood obesity.  Here's a clip from the episode:

My love of Lisa Ling's voice aside, I think this expose hit the nail the head.  Childhood obesity is a not just a problem for those affected, but for each and every American.  It's tragic and frankly, a travesty that we, as a nation, have allowed the problem to get so out of control.

So what do we do America? I want to hear your opinions and ideas of how you think we should combat this threat to the very lives of young Americans. Regardless of our plan of action, I think the increased media attention is a great start, and I'm craving more! In the meantime, I have my DVR on stand-by! Do you?