To make America great again, President-elect Donald J. Trump will have to make America strong again. In the words of former President John F. Kennedy, “a nation is only as strong as its citizens.” And today we are a nation in which obesity (a NOTABLE NATIONAL WEAKNESS) is an epidemic!

Executive Director of the Council of the Presidency
In that regard, I would like to formally apply for the position of Executive Director of the Council of the President of Fitness, Sports and Nutrition. I realize that historically this position has been filled by celebrities who serve as public relations vehicles to “promote” the fitness and health of America’s youth. But with the ongoing epidemic as living proof, I suggest that the public relations approach to childhood obesity prevention has failed for nearly two decades.

Systematically reduce obesity
Given the opportunity, I would implement a practical approach that will consistently reduce childhood obesity in schools across America. I will personally ensure significant and documented progress within the first year of implementation. And within a decade, I predict that childhood obesity and the myriad problems that follow it will become ancient history.

Revoke and Replace BMI (Body Mass Index)!
My first act, when appointed to this position, will be to declare war on BMI! In fact, our campaign slogan will be “REVOKE AND REPLACE IMC! MAKE AMERICA STRONG AGAIN!”

BMI is an obstacle
Why make BMI the first goal? Because BMI tells you next to nothing about changes in obesity levels. And despite being designated as the measurement tool of choice by the CDC (among others), BMI represents a major obstacle to progress in obesity. It undermines progress by confusing the conversation. Realistically, the inability to measure change accurately (not to mention the inability to motivate anyone but grant applicants) undermines all attempts to move forward. So let’s start by REPEALING BMI!

Physically pull your own weight
So what replaces the BMI? Pull Ups. More specifically, I suggest that we replace BMI with leg-assisted chin-ups that use suspension training straps to give all participants a place to successfully start and a way to progress regularly (immediate success and regular progress are key ingredients for this natural self-motivation process) until they run out of leg support and have developed the ability to physically pull their own weight. You see that children (people) who can make even a single stop are ALMOST NEVER OBESE! This process is straightforward. Provide accurate feedback. Motivates. And it takes from 6 weeks to 6 months depending on the particular child.

Children protect themselves from obesity for life
Once chin-ups are mastered, it’s a matter of maintaining capacity (which requires decent eating / exercise habits and 30 seconds per week of practice) and participants will have successfully armed themselves against obesity for life.

Save $ 300 Billion a Year!
Additionally, according to the Society of Actuaries, obesity costs the United States more than $ 300 BILLION A YEAR. Therefore, the cost savings of implementing this strategy alone is monstrous. But the residual effects go far beyond dollars and cents.

The trifecta of a school superintendent!
In school, obesity has been shown to undermine self-esteem, which in turn undermines school attendance (on which schools are funded), academic performance (on which schools are judged), and social behaviors (it is said that 60% of bullying has its origin in obesity). In other words, overcome childhood obesity and school attendance increases, academic performance improves, and hallway behavior improves. It is a trifecta for any school superintendent who wants to make their school great again. Imagine how all of this carries over to the workplace.

American Society of Exercise Physiologists / $ 100,000,000
Finally, the Pull Your Own Weight Foundation recently partnered with the American Society of Exercise Physiologists to apply for the MacArthur Foundation 100 and Change grant ($ 100 million to one entity) to implement this strategy in the schools across the United States. . We were among 1900 applicants and for various reasons we were unable to win this scholarship. However, with a little funding (much less than $ 100,000,000) we could not only get the ball rolling, we could also live up to the projections made previously. In the process, we can help President-elect Trump make America great and strong again.

In the meantime, for all the reasons listed above and more, I hope that Mr. Trump will seriously consider my application for the Executive Directorate of the Presidential Fitness Council. I hope to hear from you as soon as possible.