Michelle Obama Jumping Jack Initiative Breaks World Record
First Lady Michelle Obama announced on Monday that she, alongside more than 400 other participants, succeeded in an attempt to break the Guinness world record for the most people doing jumping jacks in a 24-hour period.
Mrs. Obama led 464 Washington elementary and middle school students in jumping jacks on the White House’s South Lawn in October.
According to a White House video of Mrs. Obama, over 300,000 people participated in the record-breaking attempt, defeating the previous world record of some 20,000 people.
“Today, I am proud to announce we broke that old record - and not by just a little bit,” Mrs. Obama said in Monday’s video. “With your help, we had 300,265 people jumping that day.”
Mrs. Obama thanked the Guinness Book of World Records and National Geographic Kids.
National Geographic Kids helped organize the record break as a part of Mrs. Obama's Let's Move! initiative.
The First Lady’s Let’s Move! initiative is a program designed to encourage young people to practice eating healthy foods and exercise regularly.
In September, the Center For Disease Control and Prevention reported that Childhood obesity has more than tripled in the past 30 years.
"More than anything, I want to say, thanks to every single young person who showed that exercise isn't just good for you, but that it's fun too," Mrs. Obama said in the White House video.