Michelle Obama’s Fresh Mix of Hip Hop and Health

First lady Michelle Obama has made ending childhood obesity one of her premier initiatives during her time at the White House. We’ve talked about the good coming from the Let’s Move! anti-obesity campaign. Here’s an explanation from Letsmove.gov:

Combining comprehensive strategies with common sense, Let’s Move! is about putting children on the path to a healthy future during their earliest months and years. Giving parents helpful information and fostering environments that support healthy choices. Providing healthier foods in our schools. Ensuring that every family has access to healthy, affordable food. And, helping children become more physically active.

Now, Let’s Move!, together with Partnership for a Healthier America and Hip Hop Public Health, are releasing a cd about healthy eating habits for children. Songs include, “U R What You Eat,” “Stronger” and “Good Living.” Click here to listen to these tracks.

Celebrities are joining this effort. Dr. Oz, Ashanti, Jordin Sparks, Doug E. Fresh, Ryan Beatty, Artie Green and others are featured on the tracks. The project organizers are hoping that the songs and music videos will be used in schools to promote healthy diet and exercise.

According to U.S. News & World Reports, the idea of using hip-hop for health reasons is nothing new. The recent article cites the work of academic neurologist Olajide Williams of Columbia University in New York, who experimented with hip-hop music and stroke patients in 2005.

If you’re a parent, consider this cd for your commute music on the way to school this fall. This may be the perfect way to start a conversation about healthy habits with your children.

Enjoy this music video of the first single, “Everybody”: