POPSUGAR

How Does Michelle Obama Discuss Weight With Her Daughters?

Feb 28 2014 - 9:12am

Whether she's making a speech from the White House or starring in a Jimmy Fallon sketch [1], First Lady Michelle Obama [2] is happy to discuss healthy habits with the country. But how does she talk to her daughters about food, exercise, and weight, all of which can create body image issues among teens? It's simple — she doesn't.

"We don’t talk about weight. We don't talk about physical appearance," Obama told the Today show [3] this morning. "We talk about health. We talk about what's on the inside." She adds that it's important to keep your talk "simple and practical."

The interview was part of Obama's weeklong celebration to honor the fourth anniversary of the Let's Move! campaign. The celebration also included an announcement that schools will no longer sell junk food and soda in their vending machines [4]. Though the campaign promotes healthy habits among children and adults, Obama emphasizes that the focus should not be on appearance.

"The campaign isn’t about how kids look," she said. "It's about how kids feel." To keep kids feeling good about their bodies, rather than worried about them, Obama says parents should lead by example. Even something as simple as dancing with your children [5] or serving nutritious snacks [6] can lead to a healthier, happier life.

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Source URL
https://www.popsugar.com/family/Michelle-Obama-Talks-About-Body-Image-34203473