Hula-Hooping First Lady Michelle Obama Is On A Mission to Get Kids Healthy

posted by: FitcomHealth.com

October 31, 2009 -- First Ladies oftentimes popularize important causes. Nancy Regan wanted our kids to just "say no to drugs". Laura Bush wanted them to read, and now Michelle Obama wants our kids to get healthy.

And Ms. Obama is actually showing our kids the way. Last week she was out on the White House lawn running and playing with kids. And, being an accomplished hula-hooper, put on quite a display of virtuosity.

view the video.

The First Lady was at the Healthy Kids Fair on the White House South Lawn promoting healthy eating and exercise for America's children.

"We don't just want our kids to exercise because we tell them to. We want them to exercise because it's fun and they enjoy it. "

~ First Lady Michelle Obama

First Lady Michelle Obama (above) is an expert Hula-Hooper and shows the kids how it's done.

According to the Washington Post, Ms. Obama told the invited parents and children from seven local schools:

"We want our children to eat right, not just because it's the right thing to do but because, quite frankly, healthy, good food tastes good, and we want them to experience that…We don't just want our kids to exercise because we tell them to. We want them to exercise because it's fun and they enjoy it. And we want them to learn now how to lead good, healthy lifestyles so that they're not struggling to figure out how to do that when they're older."

Will the Hula-Hoop Now Resurge?

At age 45, the First Lady, managed an impressive 142 swivels at the event in front of parents, kids and live cameras. With such coverage, will the hula-hoop now surge in popularity? After all, look at what Jackie Kennedy did for fashion.

That wouldn't be a bad thing, hula-hooping really is a good form of exercise. In addition to a calorie burn, it strengthens the entire core, not to mention enhancing flexibility in the lower spine and hip joints. Is that how the First Lady keeps such a slim waistline?

President Obama complimented his wife's hula skills last year, telling a magazine: 'Once she gets the rhythm going, she can drop to her knees.'

The hula-hoop is rather simple in appearance. The concept of a waist hoop swivel motion has been around for hundreds of years using light weight bamboo.

But it was in 1958 that the Wham-O company trademarked the name Hula Hoop and began manufacturing in large quantities using light weight plastic. Pretty soon everyone was trying out this fad.

Today, there is a version of the Hula-hoop on the Nitendo Wii Fit. But, would Ms. Obama want kids in front of video machines?

First Lady Obama's Crusade to Get People Healthy

Earlier this month the First Lady spoke to employees of the Department of Health and Human Services promoting healthy eating and exercise for children and families.

"Nearly 1/3 of all children in this country are overweight or obese," the first lady said. "And, 1/3 will suffer from diabetes at some point in their lifetimes.

According to ABC News, she encouraged parents to make simple adjustments in their children's lives: add a vegetable to a meal, switch from soda to water, walk instead of drive, even watch television standing up.

"Small things. But all of this truly could have noticeable effects," she said. "We can pass on a whole 'nother set of habits to our children. Their fate isn't set yet. We still have everything in our power, because the other beautiful thing is that kids change quickly. Their habits are easily broken. They are so malleable, and they're waiting for the right information, the right opportunities, and once they have it, they just go."

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