Michelle Obama's 2010 Focus: Childhood Obesity

There is now a fun and innovative new tool available for fighting the battle against childhood obesity. I'd like to introduce you to GetSweaty.com, the first video-based website that focuses on daily physical activity for kids. GetSweaty is free. It's fun. And it's based on the simple premise that you can stay fit by simply getting sweaty each day.

The concept is simple:

GetSweaty provides a different workout each day delivered via the platform kids know and trust: the computer. Kids are incentivized for using the site by earning points they can redeem for prizes.
Teachers can use GetSweaty in a group situation (class, recess, afterschool)
by utilizing our innovative back-end technology that allows them to track student usage and points.
Teachers also earn rewards with our Cash for Class program that pays for school supplies. Not only that, but the website serves as an educational resource offering nutritional tips and advice on how to lead an active and healthy lifestyle.

This is a powerful new program that serves children, parents and teachers.

I invite you to visit http://www.getsweaty.com and please let me know what you think!

Benita Appel

Benita of FL 1:54PM July 26, 2010

While getting closer to "your healthy weight" is valuable, getting healthy should be the real goal. This takes both a good diet and exercise. Neither of these has to be unpleasant.

The problem doesn't need another new program, just use the resources we already have, like using school gyms mentioned by Mr. Peterson and Ms. Ramsey.

www.mypyramid.gov can help with diet guidance. Existing childhood obesity programs by specialists like Dr. Maria Fisher in Texas already help children and families who need more than basic counseling.

Study after study has shown that "counseling" a large number of people is not helpful to many of them. Many children need more individual help from people who understand children, family dynamics, and effective strategies.

Brian Fisher of TX 11:20AM March 19, 2010

Kudos to the first lady Michelle Obama. She epitomizes the mother of the land. She is talking about how we feel and not about inches or pounds which is only the side effect of eating with proper choices and exercising. Obesity is costing us 150 billion dollars in additional Health Care costs . Involving the family in meal preparations as well is the solution for working mothers who are struggling with the factor of time and their own health and well being. Getting the kids to make the salads of the evening and having the other members prepare the veges and the protein ie beans or meat or whatever that maybe will solve our problems. The fast food industry is focused on making huge profits off serving our children bigger and bigger fatty and high Carb cheap meals , that are prefrozen with little or no nutritional value. Congratulations for being that legend that we have needed!! Lets move..... Gulshan Harjee

gulshan harjee of GA 3:30PM March 06, 2010

I am glad that Michelle Obama is focusing her efforts on a healthier lifestyle campaign for kids. It has become so hard for mothers to feed kids a healthy diet because life has become so busy. In our rush to accomplish everything, feeding our kids a healthy diet has become harder without us even knowing it. Most moms I know truly believe they are feeding their children well. I was one of these moms. Three years ago my seemingly perfectly healthy 10 year old son was diagnosed with a rare kidney disease that has changed our life completely. We were told to watch his sodium intake which turned out to be the start of our eating overhaul. I read everything I could get my hands on. I understand things now that I can't believe I didn't get before. We need to get past the creative food marketing and use our common sense for our kids sake. I am betting there are more sick kids today than when I was a kid and I would not be surprised if generations to come figure out that the food we eat cause much of the problems. I would love to be a part of this and help get the word out to mothers so they can help their kids. There is nothing worse than waiting until it is too late as far as our kids health is concerned. Its a hard concept to grasp for those that don't have to and the saddest to grasp when you have no choice other than to understand. I hope the campaign can concentrate more on healthy lifestyle than obesity because much harm can come before official obesity has hit and too many parents will think it doesn't pertain to them. What can I do to be a part of this?

Rose of PA 8:16PM February 10, 2010