[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1373 Engrossed in House (EH)]

H. Res. 1373

                In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

                                                         June 24, 2010.
Whereas the week beginning May 2, 2010, is observed as National Physical 
        Education and Sport Week;
Whereas a decline in physical activity has contributed to an unprecedented 
        epidemic of childhood obesity in the United States, which has more than 
        tripled since 1980;
Whereas regular physical activity is necessary to support normal and healthy 
        growth in children and is essential to their continued health and well-
        being;
Whereas, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, overweight 
        adolescents have a 70 to 80 percent chance of becoming overweight 
        adults, increasing their risk for chronic disease, disability, and 
        death;
Whereas physical activity reduces the risk of heart disease, high blood 
        pressure, diabetes, and certain types of cancers;
Whereas type 2 diabetes can no longer be referred to as ``late in life'' or 
        ``adult onset'' diabetes because it occurs in children as young as 10 
        years old;
Whereas the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, published by the 
        Department of Health and Human Services, recommend that children engage 
        in at least 60 minutes of physical activity on most, and preferably all, 
        days of the week;
Whereas, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, only 17 
        percent of high school students meet that goal of 60 minutes of physical 
        activity a day;
Whereas children spend many of their waking hours at school and therefore need 
        to be active during the school day to meet the recommendations of the 
        Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans;
Whereas, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 4 
        children in the United States does not attend any school physical 
        education classes and fewer than 1 in 4 children in the United States 
        engage in 20 minutes of vigorous physical activity each day;
Whereas teaching children about physical activity and sports not only ensures 
        that they are physically active during the school day, but also educates 
        them on how to be physically active and the importance of being 
        physically active;
Whereas, according to a 2006 survey by the Department of Health and Human 
        Services, 3.8 percent of elementary schools, 7.9 percent of middle 
        schools, and 2.1 percent of high schools provide daily physical 
        education classes or the equivalent for the entire school year, and 22 
        percent of schools do not require students to take any physical 
        education classes at all;
Whereas, according to that survey, 13.7 percent of elementary schools, 15.2 
        percent of middle schools, and 3.0 percent of high schools provided 
        physical education at least 3 days per week, or the equivalent thereof, 
        for the entire school year for students in all grades in the school;
Whereas research shows that fit and active children are more likely to thrive 
        academically;
Whereas increased time in physical education classes can improve children's 
        attention and concentration and result in higher test scores;
Whereas participation in sports teams and physical activity clubs, which are 
        often organized by schools and run outside the regular school day, can 
        improve students' grade point averages, attachment to schools, 
        educational aspirations, and the likelihood of graduating;
Whereas participation in sports and other physical activities also improves 
        self-esteem and body image in children and adults;
Whereas children and youth who take part in physical activity and sports 
        programs develop improved motor skills, healthy lifestyles, improved 
        social skills, a sense of fair play, strong teamwork skills, and self-
        discipline and avoid risky behaviors;
Whereas the social and environmental factors affecting children are in the 
        control of the adults and the communities in which children live, and 
        therefore the Nation shares a collective responsibility in reversing the 
        childhood obesity trend;
Whereas efforts to improve the fitness level of children who are not physically 
        fit may also result in improvements in academic performance; and
Whereas the House of Representatives strongly supports efforts to increase 
        physical activity and participation of youth in sports: Now, therefore, 
        be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) supports the designation of ``National Physical Education and 
        Sport Week'';
            (2) recognizes the central role of physical education and sports in 
        creating healthy lifestyles for all children and youth;
            (3) encourages school districts to implement local wellness 
        policies, as described in section 204 of the Child Nutrition and WIC 
        Reauthorization Act of 2004 (42 U.S.C. 1751 note), that include 
        ambitious goals for physical education, physical activity, and other 
        activities addressing the childhood obesity epidemic and promoting child 
        wellness; and
            (4) encourages schools to offer physical education classes to 
        students and to work with community partners to provide opportunities 
        and safe spaces for physical activities before and after school and 
        during the summer months for all children and youth.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.