First Lady Michelle Obama is the only first lady in history to have two Ivy League degrees, but first and foremost she is a mother of two girls, Malia and Sasha. As the First Lady, she did not take this responsibility lightly and she championed many programs and initiatives that have impacted one of her passions: children. There are 6 ways Michelle Obama contributed to childhood nutrition, among others which all link together to show the work she’s done.
Michelle Obama grew up in Chicago before moving on to Princeton University, where she studied sociology and African American studies. She then went to Harvard Law School for postgraduate studies. She always enjoyed working with people and serving the community, and did a lot of important work for young people in Chicago.
The role of first lady has changed drastically over the course of time. Now, in addition to supporting a president’s policies as a figurehead, it’s important to find initiatives to push through policies by promoting bills that support them.
She began her term as first lady in 2009, where she immediately went to work initiating conversations about childhood nutrition and physical activity. She faced some ridiculous criticism for being “too involved” in politics, but I think that it made logical sense for her to spend her time championing programs she believed in. She didn’t get two degrees from Ivy Leagues to sit and do nothing while her husband was in office.
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On January 6, she delivered her last White House speech as the First Lady at an event honoring the 2017 School Counselor of the Year. She began this event in 2015 as part of her “Reach Higher” program and it highlights high school counselors who have done incredible work and shown great leadership. This reflects how much she’s done for education and nutrition in schools. She truly cares about the work she’s done, which is a significant reason for why I find her to be such an inspiring woman.
Though Obama focused heavily on education and veterans, she made her largest impact in childhood nutrition. Her love for service shined throughout her time in the White House, and there are a few ways in which she created a legacy for herself.
If you want to compare how Michelle Obama has championed better nutrition and more access to nutrition to other countries, take a look at 11 Countries with the Highest Rates of Malnutrition. It’s a stark comparison to how the U.S. has tried to take control of the hunger issue through policies such as ones Obama worked to push through.
So, let’s take a look at the 6 ways Michelle Obama contributed to childhood nutrition.
6. Honorary chair of the Partnership for a Healthier America
Partnership for a Healthier America is a nonprofit dedicated to helping the private sector make healthy options easier. This program makes the private sector an active part of the solution. As an honorary chair for this organization, Michelle Obama helped promote over 225 corporate commitments and partnerships.
5. Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act
For the first time in 15 years, school meal nutrition standards were updated and for the first time in 30 years there was increased funding because of this act. Because of this, public schools offer healthier meals for over 50 million children. It also increased the number of children who receive meals at little-to-no cost and implemented better health standards for the foods schools offer. Whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and less saturated fats and sugars are encouraged and stressed.
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4. FDA’s modernized nutrition facts label
During her time as first lady, Michelle Obama announced the FDA’s new, modernized nutrition facts label. The label was updated to better reflect the science and most relevant information for consumers. The design was also changed to provide the information that families need the most instead of it getting buried under other things.
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3. Created the Healthy Lunchtime Challenge and Kids’ “State Dinner”
Next in line of the 6 ways Michelle Obama contributed to childhood nutrition is the challenge and “State Dinner” were created in 2012 to help promote childhood nutrition. Children, in collaboration with a parent, came up with a recipe that is healthy, tasty, and affordable. Entries were to represent the food groups shown on MyPlate and meet the USDA’s nutrition guidelines. One winner from each state was chosen and invited to the White House for the Kids’ “State Dinner” in celebration and to learn more information on healthy eating.
First Lady Michelle Obama hugs Braeden Mannering, the 2013 Kids’ State Dinner winner from Delaware, after he introduced her at the Kids’ State Dinner in the East Room of the White House, July 18, 2014. (Official White House Photo by Amanda Lucidon)
2. U.S. Department of Agriculture’s MyPlate
The USDA implemented MyPlate in 2011 to replace the food pyramid. It uses the latest information and guidelines on nutrition. When Michelle Obama announced this, she discussed how parents don’t have the time to measure specific amounts of food items, and rather portions were more important. This perpetuates how she dedicated her time to making sure healthy eating is easier than it sounds.
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1. Let’s Move!
The Let’s Move! campaign is the largest project Michelle Obama worked on during her time in the White House! That’s why this campaign deseved the first place on our list of 6 ways Michelle Obama contributed to childhood nutrition. This program encompasses many smaller components, all focused on children’s nutrition and fitness to create a healthier generation. She launched it in 2010 and since then it has impacted families all across the country who want to start a healthier future. The premise is common sense and making health easier to achieve. Let’s Move! was behind every health initiative championed by Michelle Obama. It provides parents and children with the relevant information they need to make healthier decisions. It also gives families the access to healthier options, which further makes it something easier. This has enabled progress through policy, education, partnerships, and programs.
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