Holly Ziarko

COMM 111
11/14/19
Critical Essay

Childhood obesity affects about 13.7 million individuals according to the Centers for

Disease Control and Prevention. This complex disease leads to not only immediate health risks

but also future health risks as well. The CDC states in response to rising rates of childhood

obesity, “Our nation’s overall increase in obesity also is influenced by a person’s community.

Where people live can affect their ability to make healthy choices”. This calls for a course of

action. First Lady, at the time, Michelle Obama gave a speech addressing this issue. On February

9th 2010 she delievered ‘Childhood Obesity Prevention’. According to health experts this was the

first time the issue of childhood obesity was addressed at such a high priority (Johnson, 2015). A

‘Let’s Move!’ campaign was announced to battle this issue at hand and still remains an ongoing

project today.

When Michelle Obama gave her Childhood Obesity Prevention speech back in 2010

many may have argued that other issues should have had first priority. However, childhood

obesity was an epidemic within America in 2010 with one in three children being obese or

overweight. Michelle refers to herself throughout the speech not only as being the first lady at

the time, but also a mother. Michelle Obama further helps this issue to be more understanding by

stating, “But the truth is that these numbers don't paint the full picture, and it's important to say

this. These words "overweight" and "obese," they -- those words don't tell the full story, because

this isn't just about inches and pounds, and it's not about how our kids look... It's about how our

kids feel, and it's about how they feel about themselves. It's about the impact that we're seeing
that this issue is having on every aspect of their lives”. All parents can agree that they want their

children happy and healthy. However one in three children are not. These words can be seen as

sincere and make children feel seen not only on their outwards appearance but overall state of

health.

Using language such as “our” schools and “our” children help the message to resonate

with listeners. It is made clear that the issue of childhood obesity is not little Johnny’s issue but

rather “ours”. Michelle Obama then takes a further step and relates herself back to the adults who

are listening to her speech, “Like many of you, when I was young, we walked to school every

day, rain or shine… We were out there. You remember how, at school, we had to have recess --

had to have it. We spent hours running around outside when school got out. You couldn't even

go inside until it was time for dinner”. Times have changed over the years as it is clear. Life is

more chaotic but it is no excuse for poor eating choices and lack of movement. By relating to the

audience shows a yearning for connection.

After studying Richard Vatz, a psychologist, whom believes someone has to give

meaning to the situation at hand in order for it to have a lasting impressing on its listeners helps

determine whether or not this speech was truly successful. This belief ties closely with this

particular speech as this issue of childhood obesity is in our own communities. By hearing this

and along with the repetitive use of “our”, it motivates listeners to take it into their own hands.

Within Vatz’s work he also discusses how rhetoric has to do two things which are: select the

situation (childhood obesity) and give it presence or meaning (affecting one in three children

within the united states). Michelle Obama does a concise job of making both the situation and

presence clear and understood from start to finish, Vatz’s would argue that this is a successful

speech being that it provides meaning.

particular speech as well. Bitzer is a strong believer that rhetoric is situation and relies on three

key elements the exigence, the audience, and the constraints. Within Michelle Obama’s speech

the exigence is for change in our children’s eating habits and activity levels. The audience is very

broad, can be parents, adults in general or even children. The constraints are the lack of funding

and busy lifestyles America has found itself in. Bitzer also believes rhetoric is unable to fix

certain situations such as natural disasters and death. After explaining these elements it is

essential to include both a story teller and written text. After all the goal of rhetoric, according to

Bitzer, is to encourage change and a response. So while there are the three key elements within

Michelle Obama’s speech, Bitzer would argue that rhetoric is unable to fix a situation such as

childhood obesity being that it is an epidemic. However, Bitzer would agree that this speech

encourages change and a response from listeners whether that be positive or negative.

Prior to Michelle Obama delivering this speech there were mixed reviews. To start with

the positive Lindsey Mitchell, executive director for the Momentum Center at the University of

Michigan's School of Public Health stated that, “I think it has stimulated a lot of collaborations,

initiatives and opportunities that I don't think would have been there if it weren't for the first lady

really making the goals of 'Let's Move' a priority” (Johnson, 2016). President and CEO of the

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Dr. Rise Lavizzo-Mourey positively responded as well by

stating, “Her efforts have really resulted in the nation as a whole I think recognizing what an

important issue it is for us...to have all children grow up to have a healthy weight” (Johnson,

2016). Although there is no evidence of change in the rates of childhood obesity, it has

stabilized. Some view the stabilization of these rates as healthier habits being learned and
needing adequate time to fully set it. Michelle Obama commented on this critique by stating

“Maybe not a statistic change but a change in culture” (Liptak, 2015).

On the more negative side many viewed the first lady at the time taking on this issue as a

“nanny state” another way for the government to infringe on individual rights. Many believing it

is their choice whether or not to make healthy choices, the government has to say nor persuasion

in this matter (Johnson, 2016). Taking on the issue of what children and eating both at home and

at school was controversial. This was perceived as parents being asked to change their daily

routines. Some offered that other issues should be taken on at a higher priority over this, but as

Michelle Obama from the start argued and was loyal to the fact that our children are our future.

All in all, Michelle Obama’s ‘Childhood Obesity Prevention’ given in 2010 was the first

time the issue that the epidemic of childhood obesity was recognized and taken on at such a high

priority. With both groups who praised this acknowledgement and others who thought of it as a

“nanny state” it has accomplished steady rates in obesity levels rather than rising. The list of

improvements that were acknowledged within her speech have been in full effect. Many schools

across the Nation have brought in healthier options and encourage more activity. No to mention

the great strides our food and beverage companies have made to make nutrition facts not only

easier to read and understand but also on the front of all packaging as well. Michelle Obama was

effective in the delivery of her speech as it acknowledged an issue that was on the rise and

provided solutions that have an impact.

Bitzer, L. F. (1992). The Rhetorical Situation. Philosophy & Rhetoric, 25, 1–14. Retrieved from

https://search-ebscohost

com.libproxy.trnty.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ufh&AN=16241271

“Childhood Obesity Facts.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease

Control and Prevention, 24 June 2019, www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/childhood.html.

“Childhood Obesity Prevention.” C Span, 2010, www.c-span.org/video/?292017-

3%2Fchildhood-obesity-prevention.

Johnson, Steven Ross. “Gauging the Public Health Value of Michelle Obama's 'Let's Move'

Campaign.” Modern Healthcare, 23 Aug. 2016,

www.modernhealthcare.com/article/20160823/NEWS/160829986/gauging-the-public-

health-value-of-michelle-obama-s-let-s-move-campaign.

Liptak, Kevin. “Let's Move Reaches 5 after Criticism -- Progress - CNNPolitics.” CNN, Cable

News Network, 7 Apr. 2015, www.cnn.com/2015/04/06/politics/michelle-obamas-lets-

move-turns-5-is-it-working/index.html.

Vatz, R. E. (1973). The Myth of the Rhetorical Situation. Philosophy & Rhetoric, 6(3), 154–161.

Retrieved from https://search-ebscohost

com.libproxy.trnty.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ufh&AN=16173459