[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 126 (Thursday, July 26, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1078-E1079]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           INTRODUCTION OF THE REDUCING OBESITY IN YOUTH ACT

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                            HON. STEVE COHEN

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 26, 2018

  Mr. COHEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Reducing 
Obesity in Youth Act, a bill I introduced earlier today along with my 
colleagues Rosa DeLauro and Jan Schakowsky. This bill would promote 
beneficial healthy eating and physical activity habits for children.

[[Page E1079]]

  I was disheartened to learn that Tennessee has the highest childhood 
obesity rate in the country. While, nationally, 31 percent of kids are 
obese or overweight--a number that is already too high--in Tennessee, 
the rate is 38 percent.
  Childhood obesity has lifelong consequences. It leaves our kids at a 
higher rate for cardiovascular disease, including heart disease and 
stroke, diabetes, and even certain types of cancer.
  Research has shown that early childhood is a critical time for the 
development of lifelong dietary and physical activities.
  That is why we are introducing the Reducing Obesity in Youth Act.
  If enacted, this bill would create a competitive grant program to 
incentivize the development of healthier early care and education 
environments to improve healthy eating and physical activity for 
children under five.
  It's time that we act. I urge my colleagues to help pass this bill.

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