Are you having trouble getting your kids to live a healthier lifestyle? First Lady Michelle Obama has a solution.

In February 2010, the first lady launched the Let’s Move! program. The campaign is supported by a U.S. government program called the Childhood Obesity Task Force. The goal of the initiative is to solve the “problem of obesity within a generation.” This means returning to a childhood obesity rate of just five percent by 2030.

This is quite a goal considering that research shows that one in every three children in America, between the ages of 2 and 19, are obese or overweight. That’s 31.7 percent of all children in America. And according to a study in the New England Journal of Medicine, the current generation may even live a shorter lifespan than their parents.

So, how are the Let’s Move! Program and the task force trying to accomplish their goal? They’re taking action in five pillars of our community. These pillars include getting children a healthy start in life; empowering parents and caregivers; providing healthy foods in schools; improving access to healthy, affordable food; and getting children to be more physically active.

The Let’s Move initiative started helpful programs across the country including: Let’s Move! City, Town or Country; Chefs Move to Schools; Let’s Move Faith and Communities; Let’s Move! Outside; Let’s Move! Museums and Gardens; Let’s Move! in Indian Country; Let’s Move! Child Care; Let’s Move! in the Clinic; and Let’s Move Salad Bars 2 Schools.

Since 2010, the program has made many accomplishments. Their blog features information like recipes by kids and webinars. They’ve teamed up with Disney, Major League Baseball and the National Hockey League for public service announcements. Beyoncé created a Let’s Move music video with kids called “Move Your Body.” And over 4,000 schools have met the Healthier U.S. School Challenge, surpassing their original goal of 2,250.

If you want your family to get moving, try these tips for parents and kids:

1. Consider the hands-on experience of growing a kitchen garden.
2. Try taking family walks together after dinner.
3. Plan healthy snacks that feed their eyes and their tummies.
4. Get your child’s school to start a school health team.
5. Help your kids come up with fun, active ways to break up their TV time like jumping jacks or dancing.
6. Encourage your kids to help you prepare meals.

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