February 9, 2010
BATTLING CHILDHOOD OBESITY
MLS, WPS Michelle Obama combine forces

WASHINGTON, D.C---MLS W.O.R.K.S., Major League Soccer’s community outreach initiative, and Women’s Professional Soccer have both joined forces with First Lady Michelle Obama to eliminate childhood obesity in one generation and commits to getting more children active, playing or moving for 60 minutes a day.

Michelle Obama Tuesday unveiled a nationwide campaign to address the serious epidemic of childhood obesity. For the first time, the First Lady has set a national goal of solving the obesity challenge within a generation, so that America’s youngest children reach adulthood at a healthy weight.
Former U.S. National Team and current Washington Freedom Goalkeeper Briana Scurry and D.C. United President Kevin Payne took part in the event.

“I’m really proud to represent WPS today as the First Lady unveils her nationwide challenge to tackle the issue of childhood obesity,” said Scurry who was the goalkeeper for the United States in the epic World Cup win over China in 1999. “All of us in the league had the opportunity to play soccer throughout our childhoods to help us stay active and healthy. We hope we can introduce more children to the same opportunities we had and the benefits of sport and healthy living that went with it.”