When Mission Hits Home

Image of Blythe Thomas, Chief Marketing Officer at Partnership for a Healthier America.

Join us to continue the conversation at our Innovating a Healthier Future Summit on May 2-4, 2018.

Post by Blythe Thomas, Chief Marketing Officer at PHA (@BlytheThomas)

“Mom, I think I’m fat.”

I looked into the caramel eyes of my precious 10-year-old and tried not to freeze up.

Tell him he’s perfect. No, tell him we can go for a run together later. Or tell him he’s just big for his age.

Instead I landed on: “Babe, I think you’re a handsome, healthy, growing boy. But I’m not the doctor. Let’s call the pediatrician and ask what she thinks.”

My organization works to support one of the most important and pressing causes in the country. Every day, we work with companies to make better food and encourage more movement so every child has the opportunity to live a full, healthy life. At the Partnership for a Healthier America, I know that every calorie our partners take out of the market place, and every piece of fruit that’s available to a little one, and every Sesame character that’s pointing kids to celery and carrots, is a strategy that will reverse the current trajectory that today’s generation will live shorter, sicker lives than their parents.

"When Mission Hits Home" blog post by Partnership for a Healthier America's Chief Marketing Officer Blythe Thomas. Even with all this knowledge and excitement for the role the private sector can play – it becomes very real when it’s your own child.

Thankfully my doctor welcomed my phone call and has been teaching me how to talk about weight, how to balance my son’s diet, and to continue encouraging an active lifestyle. I am also lucky (and grateful for) the advice from PHA’s registered dietitians, who routinely answer questions from me and other staff when it comes to living a healthy lifestyle. Talk about perks of the job!

At PHA, our goal is that all children – especially those disproportionately affected – will live healthier lives, growing up to be adults free from obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and other chronic conditions. In just a few short months (May 2-4, 2018), we will bring together the best and the brightest in the world of public health, marketing, food, physical activity, and so much more. Join us for the conversation – we need your voice to achieve these big goals!

To learn more about helping our nation’s youth lead healthier lives, consider joining PHA at our Innovating a Healthier Future Summit on May 2-4, 2018. View all Summit sessions.