[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 78 (Friday, May 23, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1067]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page E1067]]


               INTRODUCTION OF THE OBESITY PREVENTION ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL N. CASTLE

                              of delaware

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 22, 2003

  Mr. CASTLE. Mr. Speaker, in my career as Governor and as a Member of 
Congress, I have been fortunate to spend time in schools all across the 
State of Delaware. During my visits, I have recognized a growing and 
frightening trend where more and more children are becoming obese. 
Health, nutrition, and physical exercise professionals indicate that 
childhood obesity has become a national problem which is reaching 
epidemic proportions. For that reason, I am introducing the Obesity 
Prevention Act which aims to curb the rise of obesity among our 
nation's children.
  The statistics are alarming: According to the U.S. Centers for 
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) there are nearly twice as many 
overweight children and almost three times as many overweight 
adolescents as there were in 1980. Based on the agency's 1999-2000 
data, the percentage of children who are overweight has nearly doubled 
(from 7 to 13 percent) in the past two decades, and the percentage of 
adolescents who are overweight has almost tripled (from 5 to 14 
percent.)
  Dr. Nancy Krebs, chairwoman of the American Academy of Pediatrics' 
Committee on Nutrition found that over 60 percent of overweight 
children between 5 and 10 years of age already have at least one factor 
for cardiovascular disease.
  The Surgeon General indicates that overweight children and 
adolescents are more likely to become overweight or obese adults.
  The Surgeon General's Call To Action To Prevent and Decrease 
Overweight and Obesity 2001 found that overweight and obesity are 
increasing in both genders and among all population groups. In 1999, an 
estimated 61 percent of U.S. adults were overweight or obese.
  A recent analysis, underwritten by the CDC, found that the treatment 
of illnesses related to obesity costs America $93 billion a year, 
rivaling the financial toll of smoking-related disease. Health care for 
overweight and obese individuals costs an average of 37 percent more 
than for people of normal weight, adding an average of $732 to the 
annual medical bills of every American. We know a lot of children who 
are overweight grow up to be overweight or obese adults, and thus a 
greater risk for some major health problems.
  For the vast majority of individuals, overweight and obesity result 
from excess calorie consumption and/or inadequate physical activity. 
Thus, a healthy diet and regular physical activity, consistent with the 
Dietary Guidelines for Americans, should be promoted. Although obesity-
associated problems occur most frequently in adults, important 
consequences of excess weight as well as antecedents of adult disease 
occur in overweight children and adolescents. It seems to me that we 
should be finding ways to help our children be healthy and fit. The 
Obesity Prevention Act, which I am introducing today, encourages 
activities to educate our nation's children about nutrition and promote 
physical fitness. This is accomplished with:

  State Nutrition and Physical Fitness Projects--This title amends the 
National School Lunch Act to provide 20 state demonstration programs 
for the creation of model nutrition education and fitness programs for 
students. States may use funds, after consulting with others in state 
government and industry who have an interest in obesity treatment and 
prevention, for a variety of purposes. Unlike other programs, which 
function as national activities of the CDC and USDA, these grant 
programs will give a few states the opportunity to think 
comprehensively about the problem of childhood obesity--not just from a 
health or food perspective.
  Local Nutrition and Physical Fitness Project--This title creates a 
new pilot program for 100 school districts--at least one in each 
state--to promote healthy eating habits and increase physical fitness. 
Local Education Agencies may use funds, after consulting with 
individuals who represent public health, nutrition and fitness 
organizations, for a variety of purposes.
  State Children's Health Insurance Program Incentive--This section 
creates an incentive for states that have, as part of their state 
health insurance plan, activities to treat or prevent childhood 
obesity. This is an effective way to intervene early with an at-risk 
population.
  Commission on Obesity Treatment and Prevention--The Commission will 
facilitate coordination between federal agencies and identify ways to 
streamline the process through which federal departments can aid in the 
treatment and prevention of obesity. Members include representatives 
from US Health and Human Services, USDA, US Department of Education, 
Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services, CDC, the President's Council 
on Physical Fitness and Sports, National Institute of Health, and 
Surgeon General as well as representatives from private sector 
nutrition and public health organizations and food, fitness, and other 
appropriate industries. In addition, they must consult with state and 
local government, educators and community based organizations. They 
will meet at least twice annually and prepare a report on actions taken 
to treat and prevent obesity and make recommendations for legislative 
and regulatory action.
  President's Health and Fitness Awards--This is a new section to 
recognize schools for overall fitness and demonstrated improvements in 
student fitness and nutrition awareness. In this way, we're not simply 
awarding athletes who are already fit but rather schools and students 
that are making progress toward fitness and health. Also, it provides 
an award for teachers or coaches who create innovative and effective 
fitness and nutrition programs.
  Afterschool Programs--Finally, the bill adds nutrition and health 
education programs to the list of allowable activities for afterschool 
programs.
  The time for action is now. We need to promote innovative ideas to 
help our children stay healthy and fit. Children are the future of 
America, and we must help to ensure they understand the importance of 
healthy living. I am confident that the Obesity Prevention Act is a 
positive first step to help reduce and prevent obesity among children, 
and I ask my colleagues to cosponsor.

                          ____________________