The concern over obesity in the United States has galvanized health professionals to take a stand against fatty foods and poor eating habits.

These efforts are needed since 36.6 percent of Americans are overweight, according to a recent article by Bill Hendrick for WebMD News.

Programs such as Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution, a television program that focuses on making school cafeteria food healthier, are invaluable since they educate viewers about healthy eating habits as well as the danger of obesity.

Another group, called A Bunch of Carrot Farmers, is attempting to make baby carrots more attractive to the youth population by packaging the baby carrots like junk food and using creative junk-food-esque ad campaigns.

With witty design and humorous slogans, this group hopes to bring this specific line of health food to the masses once more.

Regarding exercise and physical fitness, first lady Michelle Obama has begun a program called “Let’s Move.” The initiative focuses on proper nutrition, physical exercise and passing on this knowledge to parents and children around the United States.

Programs such as these are great examples of individuals or groups of people that are willing and ready to help people rethink nutrition and exercise and enable them to look at it in a positive light.

However, someone does not need to be a celebrity chef like Jamie Oliver or the first lady to help prevent obesity. Anyone can help the cause by simply eating healthier, taking up a sport or starting a gym regimen.

Feel free to ask your friends and family to do it with you and then feel the pride of aiding a national movement – not to mention the endorphins from your physical activity.

So get out there: eat some celery, go for a run or play some hockey. We, as a nation, can become physically fit once more.