Fellow junior officers,
The First Lady of the United States of America, Michelle Obama, has challenged Americans to promote physical fitness and good nutrition habits in our youth. As officers in the U.S. Public Health Service, it is important that we serve as leaders in our communities to respond to this challenge. JOAG Public Health and Community Service Committee’s National Prevention Strategy (NPS) Subcommittee would like to introduce a very exciting opportunity for junior officers across the country to participate in the national Let’s Move! campaign. On behalf of JOAG, the NPS Subcommittee has implemented a Let’s Move! volunteer program, which offers junior officers the chance to lead projects that promote the ideals of Let’s Move! in their very own cities.
The purpose of the JOAG Let’s Move! program is to encourage and support Commissioned Corps officers in their pursuit of actively promoting health and wellness within their communities by leading activities that accomplish one or more of the following Let’s Move! Campaign objectives: 1) Creating a healthy start for children, 2) Empowering parents and caregivers, 3) Providing healthy food in schools, 4) Improving access to healthy affordable foods, and 5) Increasing physical activity and encouraging healthy eating choices.
Junior officers from all across the country will have the ability to participate in this program. We currently offer two activity packages, including one pre-approved activity highlighting the http://www.choosemyplate.gov principles, and a second pre-approved activity highlighting the “Go,” “Slow,” and Whoa!” food categorization scheme created by the We Can! (Ways to Enhance Youth’s Activity & Nutrition) movement. Since these activities have been pre-approved and the materials are ready for use, hosting an event in your community is easy! Officers can implement these activities at a school, daycare, church, or other venue, at a time that is most convenient to them. There is also the opportunity for officers to create their own activities to submit for approval and use by other officers. Leading or participating in a program activity will result in a Letter of Appreciation from JOAG for your eOPF.
Join the NPS Subcommittee in responding to the First Lady’s challenge! If you wish to host a Let’s Move! Activity utilizing one of the already pre-approved activities, or create a new Let’s Move! activity to host in your community, please contact LCDR Joyce Davis or LCDR Jennifer Clements.
For more information on the JOAG Let’s Move! Program, please see the following links:
JOAG Let’s Move! website: https://dcp.psc.gov/osg/JOAG/resources_letsmove.aspx
Other important links:
Let’s Move: http://www.letsmove.gov/
My Plate: http://www.choosemyplate.gov/