List date(s) this work was published or aired.
10-Oct-12
Provide a brief synopsis of the story or stories, including any significant findings.
This story takes a critical look at the Let’s Move campaign — the Obama administration’s flagship anti-obesity program. It traces the evolution of the program, looks at its collaborations with large food companies and explores the question of whether the goals of public health and those of the food industry are at irreconcilable odds.
Explain types of documents, data or Internet resources used. Were FOI or public records act requests required? How did this affect the work?
To trace the evolution of the program, I read transcripts of Mrs. Obama’s speeches to document how her rhetoric has changed during the course of Let’s Move. I also looked at White House visitors logs, lobbying data, press releases, news archives and reports put out by government agencies and academics.
Explain types of human sources used.
I interviewed representatives from the White House as well as many public health and nutrition experts. I also spoke with members of the food industry.
Results:
N/A
Follow-up (if any). Have you run a correction or clarification on the report or has anyone come forward to challenge its accuracy? If so, please explain.
No.
Advice to other journalists planning a similar story or project.
I wanted this story to beyond a sort of he-said she-said that just offered opinions about whether Let’s Move is working. To do so, I relied heavily on primary-source documents like speech transcripts, governmental reports and press releases that helped me construct how the program’s approach has changed.