[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 371 Engrossed in House (EH)]


                In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

                                                           May 7, 2007.
Whereas May 1 through 7, 2007, is observed as National Physical Education and 
        Sports Week;
Whereas physical inactivity of both youth and adults is a major health risk 
        factor in this country today;
Whereas the percentage of overweight young people has more than tripled since 
        1980;
Whereas nationally, 1 out of 4 children does not attend any school physical 
        education classes and fewer than 1 in 4 children get 20 minutes of 
        vigorous activity every day;
Whereas physical activity is necessary to support the normal growth in children, 
        and is essential to the continuing health and well-being of youth and 
        adults;
Whereas children and youth with low fitness levels tend to have low fitness 
        levels during adulthood and healthy weight management programs suggest 
        that approximately 300 minutes of exercise are required per week for an 
        adult to maintain his or her weight over the course of a single year;
Whereas low-income high risk communities have the highest obesity rates due to 
        factors including lack of access to healthful foods, a lack of safe, 
        available venues for physical activity, and a lack of education about 
        proper nutrition and the benefits of physical activity;
Whereas minority children are at greatest risk for obesity, especially African 
        Americans, Hispanics, American Indians, and Asians/Pacific Islanders 
        living in low-income communities;
Whereas physical activity reduces the risks of heart disease, high blood 
        pressure, diabetes, chronic low back pain, and certain types of cancers 
        and Type II diabetes can no longer be called ``late in life'' or ``adult 
        onset'' diabetes because we are seeing Type II diabetes (and other 
        chronic illnesses) in children as young as 10;
Whereas youth who are physically active show less severe symptoms of anxiety;
Whereas participation in sports and physical activity improves self-esteem and 
        body image in children and adults;
Whereas children and youth who partake in physical activity and sports programs 
        have increased motor skills, healthy lifestyles, social skills, a sense 
        of fair play, strong teamwork skills, self-discipline, and avoid risky 
        behaviors;
Whereas the 60 million school-aged children and youth in America have the 
        potential to acquire the knowledge, skills, and values that can lead to 
        a lifetime of physical activity and healthy living;
Whereas the social and environmental factors affecting children are in the 
        control of the adults and the communities in which they live, and 
        therefore this Nation shares a collective responsibility in reversing 
        the childhood obesity trend; and
Whereas Congress strongly supports efforts to increase the physical activity and 
        participation of youth in sports: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved,  That the House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes National Physical Education and Sports Week and the 
        central role of physical activity and sports in creating a healthy 
        lifestyle for all children and youth;
            (2) calls on communities to work with schools, in concert with key 
        stakeholders of the community, to craft and implement a local wellness 
        plan as required by the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 
        2004 that includes goals for physical activity, nutrition education, and 
        other school-based activities to promote physical education and wellness 
        as well as nutrition guidelines for foods sold in schools, 
        implementation plans, and measures to determine effectiveness; and
            (3) encourages schools to offer physical education classes to 
        students and work with community partners to provide opportunities and 
        safe spaces for physical activities before and after school and during 
        the summer for all children and youth.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.