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
Our kids didn't do this to themselves. They don't decide the sugar content in soda or the advertising content of a television show. Kids don't choose what's served to them for lunch at school, and shouldn't be deciding what's served to them for dinner at home. And they don't decide whether there's time in the day or room in the budget to learn about healthy eating or to spend time playing outside.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Children's health and nutrition are influenced by adults, not by their own choices.
This quote by Michelle Obama highlights the responsibility adults have in shaping the dietary and lifestyle choices of children. It emphasizes that kids lack the ability to make healthy choices for themselves when it comes to food, education about nutrition, and physical activity, and it is therefore essential for caregivers and society to provide guidance and opportunities for healthier living.
Themes
HealthNutritionChildrenEducationResponsibility
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about nutrition in schools, one might quote this to emphasize the need for policy changes.
More from Michelle Obama
All quotes →What I admire most about Hillary is that she never buckles under pressure. She never takes the easy way out. And Hillary Clinton has never quit on anything in her life.
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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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