Let’s Move is a program created by First Lady Michelle Obama to reduce childhood obesity and improve the health of American children, starting with the cities.

Selma’s branch of the program is improving the lives of local children by teaching them ways to live healthier lifestyles. Parents are getting in the mix too, as they learn better eating habits to introduce in the lives of their children.

The city has already collected four of the possible five gold medals that recognize its progress within the program.

Let’s Move Selma has been awarded gold medals for giving kids a healthier start within their early education systems, encouraging caregivers to display MyPlate posters within various locations, providing healthier foods through meal programs and increasing physical activity and launching exercise programs.

The work that Let’s Move has done so far in Selma is incredible. The program has held fun interactive exercise classes for children, which get them out of the house to socialize and have fun while also exercising.

Introducing our youth to exercise at an early age allows it to become a daily routine that could continue well into adulthood.

Let’s Move has also shown children and parents the benefits of working in a garden and allowed them to work first hand in preparing locally grown produce.

The final gold medal will be awarded once Selma is able to provide access to healthy foods in venues that offer and sell food and beverages, like vending machines.

Kate Wiedenan, Let’s Move implementation specialist, said that the Selma program has gone “above and beyond” to really improve the quality of life in the city and tackle the problem of childhood obesity.

With Dallas County among the counties with the highest percentage of citizens battling diabetes and hypertension, teaching children at a young age to live healthier lives can improve the wellbeing of the community as a whole.

Programs like Y Not at the YMCA of Selma-Dallas County are doing their part in helping adults manage their diabetes by providing them with an exercise regimen and tips on healthy eating.

Pairing a program like that with Let’s Move in the same community makes it possible for Selma and Dallas County to flip those statistics upside down.

Teaching kids to live healthy life styles starts with parents, and we hope that with Let’s Move Selma, the younger generation will understand steps they can take live healthier lives.