Department of Health

On February 8, 2011, St. Louis City commemorated the one-year anniversary of First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move initiative at Ford Community Education and Full Service School (CEFSS).  Not only did this activity mark the anniversary of the national Let's Move effort, but it served as a kick-off activity for St. Louis as a Let's Move City. Representatives from the Board of Aldermen presented three separate resolutions commemorating the occasion.

So many community partners and individuals donated their time, energy and resources to promote healthier lifestyles for the Ford CEFSS students. Meltdown Mondays was instrumental in organizing the entire activity. After a brief welcome by the principal, the students were treated to a special performance by the Ford Steppers, a step team of Ford 5^th and 6^th graders. Next, the Cardio Queen, a local fitness instructor, warmed up the audience by getting them moving. Li'l Frank, a teen rapper on the UCME label, kept the energy going by providing a demonstration of his talents. Students also enjoyed healthy cooking demonstrations provided by chef and registered dietitian Irene Wan for Nutrition Services and 9^th grader Essence Imani, Editor in Chief of the new Teen Magazine titled E.I. (launching this summer).

 

 

 

 

 

The Ford CEFSS students had two special treats in store for them. The first was an appearance by NASCAR driver Carl Edwards, a member of the national Let's Move team. He let them know how proud First Lady Michelle Obama was of them for taking the steps to become healthier and more active. He even recorded the group with plans to forward the recording to the First Lady to commemorate the occasion. The next treat was a special appearance by St. Louis' own Murphy Lee and KyJuan of the St. Lunatics. They talked to the students about how they lead healthier lives through diet and exercise and answered questions from the audience.  The students finished their program with a question and answer session for prizes and bags of healthy snacks to eat.

It has been predicted that today's children will be the first generation that will not outlive their parents. Obesity and the chronic diseases associated with it are expected to shorten their lives and drastically reduce their quality of life. Let's Move is a national health initiative spearheaded by First Lady Michelle Obama to end childhood obesity within a generation. Although this effort is only a year old, it has already begun to make a positive impact in the lives of children nation-wide.

As a new Let's Move City, St. Louis will continue to promote opportunities for physical activity and access to healthy, affordable food and quality affordable health care. The City will work to accomplish these challenges by utilizing a variety of coeducational prevention and intervention strategies while increasing community awareness and development. These actions will help reduce childhood obesity in St. Louis City and promote healthier lives for its youngest residents. If you are interested in conducting or participating in Let's Move activities around the City, please contact the Health Promotion, Education and Marketing Division of the City Health Department, at (314) 657-1480.