And dessert was something that happened on Sunday, if you were lucky. (Laughter and applause.) And if you didn’t, what, you went to bed hungry, right? (Laughter.) Back then, vegetables were a given. It included walking to and from school every day, running around at recess and gym every day, and playing in the neighborhood for hours after you got home from school until somebody called you in for dinner.Īnd then when you got inside, usually sitting around the table as a family, you ate what your parents fixed -– no questions asked. I imagine like many of you in this room we share similar memories of our childhoods, which were very active. You may even be hearing from coaches who see kids struggling to keep up –- or pediatricians who see kids coming into their offices with conditions like high cholesterol and blood pressure - high blood pressure, and Type II diabetes -– and these are conditions that they used to only see in adults.Īnd if you’re like me, you might be thinking to yourselves: How on Earth did we get here? How did this happen? Because it wasn’t always like this. You’re probably hearing from counselors who see the depression and the low self-esteem. I know that in PTA meetings around the country, you’re probably hearing from teachers who see the teasing and the bullying kids endure. It’s about the impact this issue has on their health, and the impact that it will have on their futures.Īnd I know these issues aren’t new to any of you. It’s about how they feel -– and it’s about how they feel about themselves. So while I travel this country speaking about this issue as a First Lady, I really come to it first and foremost as a mother.Īs parents, we know that this isn’t just about how our kids look. And these statistics are breathtaking.īut as far-reaching as this epidemic is, the truth is it’s also deeply personal –- for our kids and for us. Or how today, nearly one in three American children is overweight or obese. Now, as Chuck said, when you start talking about this issue, we often begin with the statistics -– how over the past three decades, childhood obesity rates in America have tripled. And that’s really why we’re all here today, why I’m here, because we care deeply about our kids.Īnd I know this organization shares my conviction that it’s finally time to take on one of the most serious threats to our children’s future and to ours: and that’s the epidemic of childhood obesity in America today. All that’s required is that you care about our kids and that you care about their well being, and their potential to grow up into happy, and healthy, and successful adults and also that you care about the future of our community and our country. And that’s really the same reason why I know that most of you got started with your own local PTA - my mom was a PTA mom - because you had a child - yes, she was - (applause) - because I know each of you got involved because you had a child in a school that you cared about.Īnd that’s one of the great things about this organization –- that anyone can get involved, anyone can get engaged. I also understand Chuck got his start with his local PTA almost 20 years ago for one simple reason -– and that was, his first son, Matthew, was entering the first grade. (Applause.) So I commend Chuck for his work to get more fathers involved, right? (Applause.) That’s right. I understand for the first time in its 113-year history, an organization that began as the National Congress of Mothers is now led by a father. Chuck was here - where did he go - for his outstanding leadership for the National PTA. And thank you for the wonderful work that you do every day in schools and communities all across this country.Īnd I also want to say thanks to Chuck. It is a pleasure to be here with all of you today. PLEASE NOTE: Local PTA Units in Europe follow different tax guidelines than Stateside PTAs, so please disregard any National PTA training information regarding filing taxes.MRS. Visit for the Local Leader Resource Bank.Visit to access a variety of eLearning courses.Visit for National PTA's online Back-to-School Kit.Create a User Profile on the National PTA website at - this gives you access to a vast array of useful materials!.Because our Local PTA Units stretch across eight countries, it can be very helpful to have access to quality online training tools, especially when you may need to bring new Board Members on board between EPTA training events! National PTA offers a variety of online training resources for PTA leaders and members.
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