[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 145 (Thursday, September 29, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1731-E1732]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               NATIONAL CHILDHOOD OBESITY AWARENESS MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. DAVID G. REICHERT

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 29, 2011

  Mr. REICHERT. Mr. Speaker, in September we observe National Childhood 
Obesity Awareness Month. As the Co-Chair of the Congressional Task 
Force on Childhood Obesity, I rise to call attention to the increasing 
incidence of obesity among our Nation's youth and the need for 
comprehensive solutions to this growing epidemic.
  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more 
than one third of children and adolescents are overweight or obese. 
Childhood obesity has more than tripled since 1980. Overall, nearly 25 
million children in the United States are overweight or obese. At the 
Odessa Brown Children's Clinic in Seattle, which serves mostly low-
income and minority patients, nearly 40 percent of children treated are 
overweight or obese.
  Obesity places our children at greater risk of developing heart 
disease, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and high 
levels of cholesterol, sleep apnea, joint problems, as well as social 
and psychological conditions such as depression and low self-esteem. 
Unless this trend is reversed, for the first time in history the 
current generation of children could have a shorter life expectancy 
than their parents.
  In addition to the many public health implications of childhood 
obesity, the financial consequences are just as alarming. The indirect 
costs of obesity have been estimated at $56 billion per year and 
climbing. Children treated for obesity cost our health care system 
three times more than the care for children of healthy weight. There is 
also growing concern among our military leaders about the potential 
effects of rising childhood obesity rates on our Nation's military 
readiness and defense. Many young adults who wish to serve their 
country are unable to join the armed services because they cannot pass 
the minimum physical fitness standards required for entry.
  Mr. Speaker, while the statistics are painful and the outlook appears 
dim, the good news is obesity is preventable and we can reverse the 
trends and defeat childhood obesity in America. During this month and 
throughout the year, I encourage all Americans to speak up about this 
problem, educate themselves, and explore ways they can make a 
difference in their own communities. It can be as simple as grabbing a 
friend or family member and going for a walk, hike, or bike ride; or 
working with local educators to introduce fresh, healthy meal options 
in our classrooms. Treatment alone isn't the answer and the task before 
us is not easy--there is no ``quick fix'' or magic diet pill--but if 
parents, schools, communities, health care providers, and government 
officials work together we can and will succeed in creating healthy 
environments and healthy lifestyles for our children.

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