Let's Move Pittsburgh

Let's Move Pittsburgh—modeled after First Lady Michelle Obama's Let's Move! national campaign to raise awareness about the benefits of healthy foods, increased exercise and decreased screen time for children—is a collaborative effort of organizations in Southwestern Pennsylvania committed to addressing childhood obesity in our region. Since many lifetime habits are established in childhood, Let's Move Pittsburgh focuses on children and advocates on their behalf by: 1) Identifying and building upon current best practices; 2) Uncovering, analyzing and removing barriers to change; and 3) Developing and establishing a consistent message among healthcare providers, early childcare centers, schools, out of school and community programs, and the food, restaurant and beverage industry about what we should be doing for children now to foster better habits for the future. Engaging communities with an interest in and a capacity for making a difference, Let's Move Pittsburgh ultimately seeks to better understand childhood obesity, and then tackle it with a unified approach that anyone with a stake in this issue can follow to meet a common goal.

On Oct. 12, 2011, Let's Move Pittsburgh: Leading the Way to Healthy Lifestyles for Children was held at Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, kicking off a multi-year initiative to make our region among the healthiest in the nation for children to live, learn and grow. The result of months of planning by a committee of community stakeholders, this invitation-only conference began the process of rolling out a plan for Let's Move Pittsburgh's first year as panels discussed model programs in nutrition, exercise and health, and the best ways to overcome challenges and realize our aspirations for area youth.