2010 Year in Review: 'Let's Move!'

Editor’s note: This week, The Chart is taking a closer look at the most important health stories of 2010. Each day, we'll feature buzzwords and topics that came to the forefront over the past year.

Simply called “Let’s Move!” the national initiative headed by first lady Michelle Obama is aimed at fighting childhood obesity.

The number of overweight children in the U.S. has tripled since 1970.  Seventeen percent of kids are now obese, increasing the rate of medical problems such as childhood diabetes and high blood pressure. Health experts warn that this could be the first generation that might not outlive its parents.

“Let’s Move!” isn’t about looking better, but improving the quality of life through better fitness and nutrition, Obama says. Among its goals: provide healthy food in schools; improve access to healthy, affordable foods; and encourage more physical activity.

Obama planted a veggie garden at the White House this fall and harvested pumpkins, turnips and sweet potatoes with students.  She urged restaurants to make their foods healthier and reduce portion sizes, and she pushed for a law to improve school lunch nutrition. The effort has not been without controversy, however, as Sarah Palin accused her of invading personal choices.

Late this year, the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 was passed, giving the federal government greater authority to set nutritional standards for foods sold in vending machines and school.

Related: Read a guest blog post from the first lady herself