Childhood Overweight and Obesity Prevention Initiative

Surgeon General's Pledge and Checklists

Help Prevent Childhood Overweight and Obesity and Secure a Healthy Future for our Children

Today, 12.5 million children are overweight in the United States—more than 17 percent.   Teaching children the importance of healthy eating and physical activity at a young age is necessary to help prevent overweight and obesity in this country. Together we can make a difference.

As Surgeon General, I ask you to join this movement to help children achieve and maintain a healthy weight by making this promise:

Surgeon General’s Pledge To Help Prevent Childhood Overweight and Obesity

I pledge to:

• Be a role model by making healthy choices for myself.
• Help children be physically active through everyday play and participation in sports.
• Support children’s healthy eating habits.

A healthy future is our gift to our children.

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Signature

(You can download a printable version of the Surgeon General's Pledge to sign and post as a reminder.)

Checklists

Here are steps you can take and information to help you keep your pledge:

• Parents and Other Caregivers Checklist
• Schools and Teachers Checklist
• Community Checklist

Last revised: May 16, 2008