[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 100 (Wednesday, June 30, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1237]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         SUPPORTING NATIONAL PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND SPORT WEEK

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. DANNY K. DAVIS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 23, 2010

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Madam Speaker, I would like to communicate my 
support for designating the week of May 2, 2010 as ``National Physical 
Education and Sport Week.'' America faces an obesity crisis, and this 
problem is particularly harmful to our children. The childhood obesity 
rate has more than tripled since 1980, and today the CDC places the 
rate at approximately 17%. This crisis, however, does not affect all 
children equally. It disproportionately affects children from racial/
ethnic minority groups and from low-income families. Although only 16% 
of Caucasians aged 12-19 are obese, 24% of African Americans and 21% of 
Hispanics are obese. Obesity in childhood is particularly troubling 
given that obese children often develop many diseases in their youth 
that typically occur in adults, such as Type II diabetes. Frequently, 
these children also develop risk factors for cardiovascular disease, 
including high cholesterol and high blood pressure. Furthermore, 
obesity in childhood increases the likelihood of obesity and its 
associated health problems in adulthood, including coronary heart 
disease, stroke, and cancer. In addition to the negative health effects 
of childhood obesity, the crisis also proves costly to the health care 
system. It is estimated that childhood obesity costs the U.S. 
approximately $3 billion a year, and this number will only grow worse 
if we fail to correct this problem.
  Although many factors contribute to the increased obesity of our 
children, including the lack of nutrition in many children's diets, a 
key variable is that the American life style has changed to be more 
sedentary both in school and at home. Physical activity during the 
school day is restricted much more now than in the past. Only 15% of 
middle schools and 3% of high schools offer all their students physical 
education three or more days a week. Many schools offer PE only once a 
week, with recess seen as an extra rather than a key part of child 
development. In the past, children played outside for hours after 
school, but active outdoor time is now much rarer. A 2009 study found 
that children ages 8-18 watch an average of three hours of television a 
day. Although these factors affect all children, they are intensified 
for minority and low income children. Schools in low income areas often 
cut physical education to one day a week to focus on reading and math. 
Minimum wage jobs rarely offer the flexibility needed to get kids to 
sports practices and events; doing so is even harder when public 
transportation is necessary. Some communities lack safe places to play 
outdoors, so children engage in more sedentary activities inside. 
Frequently, low income communities lack grocery stores and options for 
fresh produce. We must work to reemphasize the importance of physical 
activity, so that each child has an equal chance at living a healthy 
life.
  We cannot allow this unwholesome future to become the destiny of 
America's children. Let us instead face this problem, and help these 
children. We can begin to fight this epidemic by recognizing the 
importance of physical education and sport in children's lives. 
Therefore, I urge my colleagues to support House Resolution 1373.

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