VOA标准英语2010年-US First Lady Announces Fight Against

First lady Michelle Obama describes childhood obesity¹ as "one of the most serious threats" to the future of America's children.

VOA News 09 February 2010

Backed by his wife, President Barack Obama smiles after signing a memorandum² on childhood obesity, Tuesday, 9 Feb. 2010, in the Oval Office of the White House, Washington

U.S. first lady Michelle Obama has announced a nationwide initiative to fight childhood obesity, calling it "one of the most serious threats" to the future of America's children.

Mrs. Obama said the campaign, nicknamed "Let's Move," aims to solve the problem within one generation, so that children born today will reach adulthood³ at a healthy weight.  She said officials are working with food companies and doctors to provide clearer food labels and other tools that parents need to make healthy choices for their children.

The plan also includes programs and legislation to put healthier food in schools, ensure better access to affordable⁴ healthy food in communities, and find new ways for children to be physically⁵ active.

Earlier in the day, President Barack Obama signed a memorandum to establish a government task force on childhood obesity.

The task force is made up of Cabinet members and other top officials.  Over 90 days, they will review policies on child nutrition and physical activity, and will devise a national plan of action.

President Obama said the project has "enormous promise" in improving children's health.  He praised the first lady for taking on what he called "one of the most urgent health issues" facing the United States.

The White House says nearly one-third of children in the U.S. are overweight or obese⁶.  It says that rate has tripled in adolescents and more than doubled in younger children since 1980.

Mrs. Obama said the administration is proposing several major investments, including $10 billion over 10 years to fund legislation that sets nutrition standards for food in schools, and $400 million a year to bring grocery stores to under-served areas.  She also announced the creation of a new, independent foundation - the Partnership⁷ for a Healthier America - to coordinate⁸ and monitor progress across the government and private sectors⁹.

 

1 obesity   

n.肥胖，肥大

参考例句：

• One effect of overeating may be obesity.吃得过多能导致肥胖。
• Sugar and fat can more easily lead to obesity than some other foods.糖和脂肪比其他食物更容易导致肥胖。

2 memorandum   

n.备忘录，便笺

参考例句：

• The memorandum was dated 23 August,2008.备忘录上注明的日期是2008年8月23日。
• The Secretary notes down the date of the meeting in her memorandum book.秘书把会议日期都写在记事本上。

3 adulthood   

n.成年，成人期

参考例句：

• Some infantile actions survive into adulthood.某些婴儿期的行为一直保持到成年期。
• Few people nowadays are able to maintain friendships into adulthood.如今很少有人能将友谊维持到成年。

4 affordable   

adj.支付得起的，不太昂贵的

参考例句：

• The rent for the four-roomed house is affordable.四居室房屋的房租付得起。
• There are few affordable apartments in big cities.在大城市中没有几所公寓是便宜的。

5 physically   

adj.物质上，体格上，身体上，按自然规律

参考例句：

• He was out of sorts physically,as well as disordered mentally.他浑身不舒服，心绪也很乱。
• Every time I think about it I feel physically sick.一想起那件事我就感到极恶心。

6 obese   

adj.过度肥胖的，肥大的

参考例句：

• The old man is really obese,it can't be healthy.那位老人确实过于肥胖了，不能算是健康。
• Being obese and lazy is dangerous to health.又胖又懒危害健康。

7 partnership   

n.合作关系，伙伴关系

参考例句：

• The company has gone into partnership with Swiss Bank Corporation.这家公司已经和瑞士银行公司建立合作关系。
• Martin has taken him into general partnership in his company.马丁已让他成为公司的普通合伙人。

8 coordinate   

adj.同等的，协调的；n.同等者；vt.协作，协调

参考例句：

• You must coordinate what you said with what you did.你必须使你的言行一致。
• Maybe we can coordinate the relation of them.或许我们可以调和他们之间的关系。

9 sectors   

n.部门( sector的名词复数 )；领域；防御地区；扇形

参考例句：

• Berlin was divided into four sectors after the war. 战后柏林分成了4 个区。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Industry and agriculture are the two important sectors of the national economy. 工业和农业是国民经济的两个重要部门。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》