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Healthy Child
Initiative
WHEREAS
childhood obesity
has reached epidemic
levels, with the
percent of children
who are overweight
continuing to
increase, according
to the Centers for
Disease Control and
Prevention. Among
children and teens
ages 6-19, 16
percent (over 9
million) are
overweight according
to the 1999-2002
data, or triple what
the proportion was
in 1980;
WHEREAS risk
factors for heart
disease (such as
high cholesterol and
high blood pressure)
and Type II diabetes
(previously
considered an adult
disease) have
increased
dramatically in
overweight and obese
children and
adolescents,
according to the
United States
Department of Health
and Human Services;
WHEREAS the
most immediate
consequence of
overweight as
perceived by the
children themselves
is social
discrimination, poor
self-esteem and
depression,
according to the
United States
Department of Health
and Human Services;
WHEREAS a
sensible, healthy
eating plan includes
a variety of fresh
and canned foods
especially whole
grains, vegetables,
and fruits, while
limiting portion
sizes in foods
having high density
calories;
WHEREAS,
according to the
United States
Department of Health
and Human Services,
contributing factors
to overweight or
obese children
include: lack of
physical activity,
unhealthy eating
patterns or a
combination of the
two, genetics in
playing an important
role in determining
a child’s weight,
and the sedentary,
inactive lifestyle
in today’s society;
WHEREAS
numerous studies
have demonstrated a
direct relationship
linking children’s
nutrition and
wellness with their
performance in the
classroom
(standardized test
scores, increased
attention and
retention) and on
the playing field;
WHEREAS
conscious choices to
improve wellness
include moderate
daily physical
activity and
nutrition education
(awareness of health
and nutrition
claims, dietary
guidelines, serving
sizes, and the
nutrition facts
panel), which are
essential to
developing effective
holistic programs
that help students,
teachers, and
parents make
informed decisions
that support a
healthy lifestyle
for a healthier
future;
THEREFORE BE IT
RESOLVED by the
National Hispanic
Caucus of State
Legislators that it
dedicate itself to
educating its
members,
constituents and
others to address
the issue of
overweight and obese
children;
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that
the National
Hispanic Caucus of
State Legislators
support
comprehensive
policies addressing
childhood obesity
which include a
multi-faceted
approach, promoting
and encouraging
nutrition education
as well as physical
activity to combat
the sedentary
lifestyle that
contributes to
overweight and
obesity in children;
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that
the National
Hispanic Caucus of
State Legislators
will work with
Congress to enact
legislation and to
provide funding to
assist state and
local governments as
well as community
leaders who are
working to address
child obesity as a
health epidemic;
BE IT FINALLY
RESOLVED that
this resolution be
dispatched to the
President of the
United States, the
Vice President of
the United States,
Members of Congress,
Governors, and other
state and local
officials as
appropriate.
Adopted this 24th
day of June 2005 at
the National
Hispanic Caucus of
State Legislators’
Executive Committee
& BBA meeting held
in San Juan, Puerto
Rico.
Assemblyman Felix W.
Ortiz, NY
NHCSL President
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