THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY GRELL, BAKER, BARRAR, BENNINGHOFF, BEYER, BOBACK, CLYMER, CUTLER, DELOZIER, DiGIROLAMO, EVERETT, FABRIZIO, FAIRCHILD, GEIST, GINGRICH, HELM, HENNESSEY, M. KELLER, KORTZ, KOTIK, LONGIETTI, MAJOR, MARSHALL, MENSCH, MILLARD, MILNE, MOUL, MURPHY, OBERLANDER, O'NEILL, PALLONE, PAYNE, PHILLIPS, PICKETT, PYLE, QUINN, RAPP, REICHLEY, ROCK, ROSS, SANTONI, SAYLOR, SIPTROTH, SONNEY, STERN, SWANGER, TALLMAN, TRUE, TURZAI, VULAKOVICH AND PASHINSKI, SEPTEMBER 18, 2009

INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, SEPTEMBER 18, 2009  

A RESOLUTION

Designating the first week of October 2009 as "Children Healthy

Lifestyles Week" in Pennsylvania.

WHEREAS, The prevalence of obesity among Pennsylvania's

children is alarming; and

WHEREAS, Based on recent data, almost 30% of school-aged

children are overweight or obese; and

WHEREAS, Thirty years ago, less than 5% of children were

considered obese, and today's figures put the number of obese

American children around 16%; and

WHEREAS, The United States Surgeon General has found that

overweight children have a 70% chance of becoming overweight

adults and, without good weight management, these children have

an increased risk for coronary disease, Type II diabetes,

hypertension, arthritis, some forms of cancer, joint pain and

other health problems as they mature; and

WHEREAS, The challenge of educating children on this weight

problem is to reach the children who need it the most; and

WHEREAS, The Cross PA Health Ride during the week of October

4 through 10, 2009, will maximize the message of childhood

obesity prevention in Pennsylvania; and

WHEREAS, The Cross PA Health Ride events will promote the

messages of:

(1)  one or more hours of physical activity each day;

(2)  two or less hours of screen time each day;

(3)  three meals each day;

(4)  four or more cups of water or low/no-calorie

beverages each day; and

(5)  five or more servings of fruits and vegetables each

day;

and

WHEREAS, The Departments of Health, Public Welfare, Education

and Transportation are actively working to reduce childhood

obesity and are participating in the ride; and

WHEREAS, The United States Surgeon General is combating

childhood obesity with the "Healthy Youth for a Healthy Future"

initiative and is asking everyone to sign his pledge to work to

keep children healthy; and

WHEREAS, October 5 through 11 is designated as "International

Walk to School Week" and the Borough of Columbia received a $1

million grant to make the routes to their three public schools

safer; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate the

first week of October 2009 as "Children Healthy Lifestyles Week"

in Pennsylvania in order to raise awareness to reverse the

childhood overweight and obesity epidemic.