Childhood obesity isn't some simple, discrete issue. There's no one cause we can pinpoint. There's no one program we can fund to make it go away. Rather, it's an issue that touches on every aspect of how we live and how we work.
Michelle ObamaRead
We all grew up in communities with grandmothers who cooked two, three vegetables that you had to eat. There was no ifs, ands or buts about it. But that's because many of our grandparents, they had community gardens; there was the vegetable man that came around. There were many other resources that allowed them to have access. So it's not that people don't know or don't want to do the right thing; they just have to have access to the foods that they know will make their families healthier.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Access to healthy food is essential for families to make nutritious choices.
In this quote, Michelle Obama emphasizes the importance of access to healthy food options, illustrating how past generations, such as our grandmothers, had better access to fresh produce through community gardens and local vendors. She argues that current struggles with nutrition are not due to a lack of knowledge or desire but rather the result of limited access to healthy food resources, highlighting the need for systemic change in food availability to promote healthier families.
Themes
HealthNutritionCommunityAccessFood
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be shared in a community meeting focused on improving local food access.
More from Michelle Obama
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We all need to start making some changes to how our families eat. Now, everyone loves a good Sunday dinner. Me included. And there's nothing wrong with that. The problem is when we eat Sunday dinner Monday through Saturday.
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Oh, I can't play soccer, and I'm not a great swimmer. I won't drown, but you won't see me doing laps in a pool.
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I worked with Congress on legislation, gave speeches to CEOs, military generals and Hollywood executives. But I also worked to ensure that my efforts would resonate with kids and families - and that meant doing things in a creative and unconventional way. So, yeah, I planted a garden and hula-hooped on the White House lawn with kids.
Michelle ObamaRead
Elections aren't just about who votes but who doesn't vote.
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