THE FIRST LADY PROMOTES PHYSICAL FITNESS (1102 hits)
(AP Photo) First lady Michelle Obama speaks on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Monday, May 9, 2011,during an event to promote physical fitness among military families.
First Lady Michelle Obama is not the only person who is encouraging Americans to get a move on. Since 1983, the President’s Council for Fitness, Sports and Nutrition has encouraged and challenged Americans to get moving, active and fit, and May has been declared National Physical Fitness and Sports Month.
“Americans of all ages need to incorporate more movement into their daily lives,” said Melissa Johnson, executive director of the Council. “Adults need at least 30 minutes of activity five days each week. This can be done by choosing to bike or walk instead of driving, taking stairs instead of elevators, or pushing a lawnmower instead of riding one. Children need at least 60 minutes of daily active play. They need to run, climb, jump and just get up and move around - away from their desks, the television and computer games.”
Recent studies have shown that less than one-third of African-Americans get at least 30 minutes of exercise a day, even though research also has shown that regular exercise could help promote positive health outcomes for black Americans.
A number of diseases, including cancer, diabetes and obesity affect the black community disproportionately, making it imperative, researchers say, that African Americans take time to exercise. Suggested events include attending health fairs, fitness festivals, lectures and the scheduling of various sports events, tournaments and athletic activities that bring people together.
The President’s Challenge was created to provide an incentive to get fit. The program is aimed at children and adults and encourages them to complete contests that promote a healthy lifestyle and reward them as well. One can complete the Presidential Active Lifestyle Award, the Physical Fitness Award, or the Presidential Champion challenge. All of the challenges are explained in detail at www.presidentschallenge.org.
