Thousands join first lady for ‘Let’s Move’ outing

DES MOINES, Iowa – Wild arm swings, sharp robotic turns, pulsing fist pumps.

Michelle Obama busted out a few new moves Thursday to mark the second anniversary of her campaign against childhood obesity with a few new friends – 14,000 or so, it turns out.

The first lady rocked out with thousands of sixth- to ninth-graders at a Des Moines arena on the first stop of a three-day trip to highlight her “Let’s Move” campaign. It was a giant pep rally for eating right and exercising, complete with confetti, balloons and a towering birthday cake made of fruit.

The first lady and crowd revved up by doing the Interlude, a dance that started in a dorm room at the University of Northern Iowa and went viral from there.

Obama chose Iowa for her first stop because the state is working to become the nation’s healthiest state by 2016, as measured by the Gallup organization. It ranked 19th in 2010, the most recent rankings.