Obama on Childhood Obesity Rates

Former President Barack Obama falsely claimed that Let’s Move, an initiative of former First Lady Michelle Obama, “helped bring down America’s obesity rates for our youngest kids for the first time in 30 years.” In fact, research shows the obesity rate for 2- to 5-year-olds has been decreasing since 2004 – long before the initiative began. 

It’s true that the obesity rate for young children continued to decline after the first lady launched Let’s Move in February 2010, but there’s no evidence that it contributed to that decline.

Obama made his claim at Seeds and Chips, a global food innovation summit that took place in Milan, Italy, between May 8 and May 11.

President Obama, May 9: By working with schools, businesses and local leaders across America, Let’s Move actually helped bring down America’s obesity rates for our youngest kids for the first time in 30 years.

We reached out to President Obama’s spokesman, Kevin Lewis, for support for Obama’s recent claims. Over the phone, Lewis said Let’s Move