Gov. Rounds Applauds First Lady's National Childhood Obesity Initiative

Press Release

Gov. Rounds Applauds First Lady's National Childhood Obesity

Gov. Mike Rounds has welcomed today's announcement that the White House is establishing a new federal task force on childhood obesity and launching a public awareness campaign on the issue.
First Lady Michelle Obama unveiled the childhood obesity initiative, which is called Let's Move.

"Childhood obesity is an increasing problem, not just nationally, but in South Dakota, too," said Gov. Rounds. "We applaud White House leadership on this issue and look forward to promoting those things that will help reverse the trend of childhood obesity and lead our kids to healthier lives."

State government has worked with schools since 1999 to track childhood obesity in South Dakota, the Governor said.

Data from the latest survey found more than one-third of South Dakota's kindergarten through 12th-grade students were either overweight or obese.

Gov. Rounds said the federal initiative could boost state efforts to address childhood obesity. Those efforts include such programs as Healthy South Dakota's Fit from the Start in child-care facilities, the Schools Walk program for elementary school students, and recreational equipment checkouts at state parks.

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