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PRINTER'S NO. 1526
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
282
Session of
2017
INTRODUCED BY SANTORA, HENNESSEY, QUIGLEY, WATSON, BOBACK,
TOOHIL, DRISCOLL, BIZZARRO, SOLOMON, LONGIETTI, DAVIS,
V. BROWN, BAKER, CALTAGIRONE, MILLARD, PYLE, FREEMAN,
CHARLTON, RYAN, MURT, HILL-EVANS, KINSEY, DiGIROLAMO,
NEILSON, CORR, WARD, SAYLOR, STAATS AND MICCARELLI,
APRIL 24, 2017
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
APRIL 24, 2017
A RESOLUTION
Designating the week of April 24 through 28, 2017, as "Every Kid
Healthy Week" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, Pennsylvania's future relies on its youths; and
WHEREAS, More than 15% of Pennsylvania's total population, or
1.9 million residents, are under 18 years of age; and
WHEREAS, Nearly 27% of Pennsylvania's children are considered
either overweight or obese; and
WHEREAS, Since 2008, the incidence of Pennsylvania children
considered overweight or obese has decreased because of healthy
initiatives; and
WHEREAS, Being overweight as a child increases the risk of
being obese as a young adult; and
WHEREAS, Childhood obesity is a major health epidemic facing
this Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, Related health concerns lead to higher health care
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costs, which negatively impact Pennsylvania's taxpayers; and
WHEREAS, Being overweight as a child can lead to serious
health problems such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, asthma,
sleep problems, low self-esteem and being bullied; and
WHEREAS, Regular physical activity can produce long-term
health benefits; and
WHEREAS, One in three children in the United States are
overweight or obese before their fifth birthday; and
WHEREAS, According to the Physical Activity Guidelines for
Americans report issued by the United States Department of
Health and Human Services, children and adolescents benefit from
60 minutes or more of physical activity daily through a
combination of aerobic, muscle strengthening and bone
strengthening activities; and
WHEREAS, Health benefits for children and adolescents
associated with regular physical activity include improved
cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness, improved bone health,
favorable body composition, reduced symptoms of depression and
improved academic performance; and
WHEREAS, Obesity and physical inactivity are directly linked
to increasing public and private health care costs; and
WHEREAS, Reversing the child and adolescent obesity epidemic
requires community involvement at all levels; and
WHEREAS, Less than 20% of Pennsylvania youths meet
recommended levels of aerobic and muscle strengthening physical
activity; and
WHEREAS, In response to the health challenges facing
Pennsylvania's adolescents, many health clubs in Pennsylvania
have created programs targeting children and adolescents and
developed specific programs for families to exercise and live
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healthier lives together; and
WHEREAS, Parents are a positive influence in helping their
children eat healthier food and become more physically active;
and
WHEREAS, Promoting healthy behavior promotes a healthy
population in general, reduces health care costs and provides a
healthier and more productive work force; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate the
week of April 24 through 28, 2017, as "Every Kid Healthy Week"
in Pennsylvania; and be it further
RESOLVED, That in order to improve the quality of life for
many Pennsylvanians and to prevent an increased burden on its
taxpayers, the Commonwealth needs to develop a coordinated
approach to addressing the problem of childhood obesity; and be
it further
RESOLVED, That the General Assembly support legislative and
regulatory initiatives that support the coordination of
activities to support physical activity and encourage all
Pennsylvanians to adopt a healthy lifestyle.
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