[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Pages 15097-15098]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   CHILDHOOD OBESITY AWARENESS MONTH

  Mr. BROWN of Ohio. Mr. President, as September ended, so did 
Childhood Obesity Awareness Month. While it is important to set aside a 
month for special attention to this epidemic, we must not forget that 
childhood obesity is a year-round battle.
  The facts about childhood obesity are startling. Obesity rates have 
more than tripled in the last 30 years. In Ohio, more than 30 percent 
of children and adolescents are overweight or obese. Our children 
living with obesity experience lifelong health problems, including type 
2 diabetes, heart problems, and bone and joint problems.
  Combating childhood obesity might seem like an uphill battle, but 
with national attention on the issue, we can meet this urgent need. And 
communities across Ohio and the Nation are doing their part. Public and 
private partnerships are joining forces to unite in the fight against 
childhood obesity.
  We see it with the U.S. Surgeon General's healthy youth for a healthy 
future initiative promoting healthy eating and physical activity to the 
Do Right! Campaign in communities in greater Cincinnati. We see it with 
Let's Move! events throughout the State, and collaborations between 
Federal and State governments and local communities, organizations, and 
individuals.
  Last year, the Senate passed landmark child nutrition legislation, 
the Healthy, Hunger Free Kids Act, to help promote health and reduce 
childhood obesity. This bill will improve the nutritional quality of 
school meals through an increase in Federal reimbursement for school 
lunches. It also establishes national nutrition standards for all foods 
sold in schools so that vending machine food and snacks in the a la 
carte line are healthy and nutritious. The Healthy, Hunger Free Kids 
Act will connect more children to healthy, locally grown produce 
through farm-to-school programs with the dual benefit of making sure 
children know how their food is grown and supporting Ohio farmers.
  Also worth noting is the U.S. Department of Agriculture's, USDA, 
progress in updating the nutrition standards for school meals so they 
are in line with current nutrition science. I commend the USDA for its 
efforts and urge it to finalize these new school lunch rules quickly so 
that children across the country get the benefit of more fruits, 
vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products.
  I am also proud of the proactive efforts of Ohio hospitals in 
acknowledging their ability to combat the epidemic of childhood 
obesity.
  The Cleveland Clinic's 5 to Go! Program is a comprehensive childhood 
wellness program. A partnership with family health centers, hospitals, 
schools, and neighborhood partners, 5 to Go! is working in Cuyahoga 
County to keep children healthy by encouraging them to get 1 hour of 
exercise a day and consume more fruits and vegetables in their meals.
  University Hospitals Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital is a 
national leader in addressing childhood diabetes--one of the more 
serious side effects of obesity. Through funding awarded by the Centers 
for Disease Control and Prevention, Rainbow is home to the Center of 
Excellence for Childhood Diabetes, Activity, and Nutrition. Rainbow is 
holding workshops to educate school nurses on childhood diabetes and 
hosting events with patients and their family focusing on breakthroughs 
in treatment and disease management.
  By teaming up with the Kohl's Community Youth Fitness Program, Akron 
Children's Hospital is teaching 8 to 13-year-olds about healthy fitness 
and eating habits through participation in activities and games.
  In Toledo, ProMedica is focusing its attention on community-based 
nutrition programs. The Fields of Green Program includes everything 
from hydroponic and community gardens tended to by neighborhood 
children to a scholarship program for high school students. And, 
through a partnership with the YMCA and the United Way, the Summer 
Feeding Program has increased the number of meals served to children 
under 18 from 1,500 to over 45,000 in only 1 year.
  Nationwide Children's in Columbus is an Ohio Healthy Weight Outcome 
member, one of ten teams selected to participate in the National Health 
Weight Collaborative. Funded through the Affordable Care Act, the 
Collaborative's mission is to optimize health outcomes in children by 
implementing a multilevel obesity prevention and treatment 
demonstration project in a low-income area. Nationwide and the Ohio 
Healthy Weight Outcomes Program are implementing the Healthy 
Neighborhood Healthy Family (HNHF) zone with the goal of reducing the 
obesity rate in Columbus fifth graders by 10 percent in 5 years.
  And Cincinnati Children's Hospital is working with both children and 
their parents to make simple yet effective dietary changes. The 
hospital is also working with local school districts to increase 
children's consumption of fruits and vegetables and replace sugary 
drinks in school lunches. Additionally, through a partnership with U.S. 
Bank and the Boys and Girls Club, over 3,000 children participated in 
Cincinnati Children's kids' marathon--an incremental marathon over an 
8-week period that included running as well as nutrition and health 
education.
  September brought an end to Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, but I 
look forward to continuing to work

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with schools and hospitals, teachers and parents, and all Ohioans to 
combat childhood obesity and ensure a healthier future for our Nation's 
children.

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