"When the Menominee Tribe of Indians last week joined the national effort to end childhood obesity within a generation, we noticed.

We took note not only because the Menominees became the first Native American tribe to become part of first lady Michelle Obama's "Let's Move! in Indian Country" initiative — an outgrowth of her Let's Move! program launched last year — but also because it's a bold and positive step for a reservation that has some of the most challenging health issues to overcome.

According to a study by the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Menominee County in 2010 ranked last in overall quality of health in Wisconsin. Among the startling statistics are that it had the highest mortality rate, the highest rate of smoking during pregnancy, the highest teen birth rate and highest number of children living in poverty of counties in the state. What likely caught the eye of the Let's Move! organization was Menominee County's obesity rate — the highest in the state — at 38 percent."

Get the Story:
Editorial: Menominee tribe deserves praise for initiative (The Green Bay Press-Gazette 5/31)

Related Stories:
WUWM: First Lady launches Let's Move! in Indian Country (5/26)
Menominee Nation launches Let's Move! in Indian Country (5/25)