I doubt anyone has escaped the news surrounding childhood obesity this week. Especially the speech given by First Lady Michelle Obama detailing the staggering statistics. Statistics that those of us in the fitness and health industries have watched rise steadily over the past 20 years. Yes, now we have the White House on it. But why is it going to take perhaps a literal act of congress to attack this issue?

I say it’s apathy. And, it’s everywhere. People thinking that everyone is now overweight so what’s the big deal. Fast food customers who think they’re “treating” themselves when they chow down on a triple cheeseburger with bacon and mondo size fries. Families who now think its too much trouble to cook a decent meal but find it fine to pig out on gobs of butter laden popcorn and gallon size sugar drinks. How many children even know what vegetables are let alone eat any.

Preschool children are getting more and more removed from physical activity too. Parents are too “tired” to throw a ball with their children but instead will plop down to watch multiple movies. Sure some kids are natural athletes or just love to move. But the majority are now being raised without any physical activity. And, they don’t see their parents getting any either. Ask them to ride a bike, go skating or play ball and you get a blank stare followed by a look of disgust (how many even know how?). Why on earth would they want to move when they can pretend they’re playing tennis on Wii? All that takes is a flick of their wrist while sitting down on the couch.

No. All of this starts too late. Habits are not going to change easily once established and reinforced by parents. Hope is greatest when we start with young preschool children. It’s no coincidence that so many important health and safety habits are taught during the preschool years. Look at a few of the things we teach children to do by the time they enter Kindergarten:

• Brush their teeth
• Take a bath
• Comb their hair
• Go potty
• Wash their hands
• Look before crossing the street
• Stay away from hot things
• Manners

Imagine the impact on a child’s life if they did not learn ONE of these things. Just one. Like brushing their teeth. Or taking a bath. Their entire life would be affected. Their health and well being would too. Once we get to the point where exercise and healthy eating are looked at for what they really are – self care – then children will grow up healthier.

So, Michelle Obama, focus some of your childhood obesity prevention efforts on preschool children. Please. It will go a long way over the course of their lives.