KC Metro youth carry Michelle Obama's message

KANSAS CITY, Missouri - First Lady, Michelle Obama, doesn't know it, but she has some huge, little supporters right here in the Kansas City metro. The first lady promoted her, "Lets Move," initiative to end childhood obesity at the NAACP convention in Kansas City on Monday.

As she was speaking children at the Rosedale Community Kidz Garden were pulling weeds and harvesting some tomatoes.
Jacqueline Valladares is 11 years old and encourages other children to eat vegetables. "Before the garden I used to eat like junk food," said Jacqueline. "Then when I saw the garden, I started eating vegetables and all that kind of fruit," she explained.

Scott, another 11 year old at the garden helped plant sweet potatoes and carrots. Scott admits to other children that sometime vegetables don't taste good."Some vegetables aren't real good, like spinach; but they can make you grow up healthy," Scott explained.

At the Forty Acres and a Mule campgrounds and activity center, students were playing soccer and swimming.. Exercise is a daily part of the routine. James Patterson, a teenager at the camp said, "I would recommend to other children to find something that you like that requires you to be active like a sport or a game,"

A young swimmer, M'Kiylah Pearson said there are other ways to exercise. "When I get home I go outside with my sisters and I play with them and we run around and have fun for at least 30 minutes," said M'Kiylah. A healthy routine building a healthy future.

If you are inspired to adopt a healthy lifestyle, the state health departments in Missouri and Kansas have programs in local hospitals, clinics, schools and social service agencies. The Boys and Girls Clubs are another place to find help.