Oklahoma City Hosts Olympic Day to Fight Adult and Childhood Obesity

By Jacqueline Sit, NEWS 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Mayor Mick Cornett dubbed Friday as Oklahoma City's Olympic Day. And the mayor's initiative to put the city on a diet has brought a special guest from the White House.

When Mayor Cornett put the city on a diet it got the attention of First Lady Obama and the Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius was in Oklahoma to kick off a nationwide campaign.

From rowing to kayaking, 300 kids packed the boathouse to participate in the fitness challenge.

The point of the Olympic Day event is a part of Michelle Obama's "Let's Move" initiative in a campaign against childhood obesity.

Secretary of Health and Human Services Kahtleen Sebelius showed up on behalf of the First Lady to promote the action plan to end the problem within a generation.

"We know that one out of three American kids is either overweight or obese and we also know that it's really going to take a whole lot of community efforts, parent efforts, employee efforts, school efforts that's going to change those patters, healthier food, more exercise, better choices for parents, more information and help from doctors," Sebelius said.

Olympian Dominique Dawes also pushed the message in keeping kids active.

"Good examples, good role models, like the parents, like the community, like the Mayor that are not just talking the talk, but are also walking the walk and I think that's really what's going to not only educate our kids, but empower our kids to make a change," Dawes said.

Secretary Sebelius says this is more than just about the kids; it's a family effort.

"Watching the kids really engaged and get some exercise, this is the kind of community-based project that'll really make a difference," Sebelius said.

Mayor Mick Cornett says the fight against obesity will come down to awareness. Getting the nutritional information they need, access to healthy foods and with the help of the White House he believes the state can be successful.