PRINTER'S NO. 3074
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
782
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY SANTORA, QUIGLEY, KOTIK, CALTAGIRONE, BAKER,
BURNS, MACKENZIE, TOOHIL, LEWIS, DONATUCCI, HARHART,
BIZZARRO, VEREB, DiGIROLAMO, MARSICO, KILLION, GINGRICH,
WATSON, SONNEY, DUSH, MURT, YOUNGBLOOD, HENNESSEY, BOBACK,
NEILSON, SCHLOSSBERG, KINSEY, QUINN, SAINATO, EVERETT, ROSS,
D. COSTA, WARD, READSHAW, SCHLEGEL CULVER, PAYNE, GIBBONS AND
MILNE, APRIL 5, 2016
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
APRIL 5, 2016
A RESOLUTION
Designating the week of April 25 through 29, 2016, as "Every Kid
Healthy Week" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, Pennsylvania's future relies upon its youth; and
WHEREAS, More than 21% of Pennsylvania's total population, or
2.7 million residents, are under 18 years of age; and
WHEREAS, Nearly 30% of Pennsylvania's children are considered
overweight or obese; and
WHEREAS, The prevalence of children in this Commonwealth
considered overweight or obese has increased since 2003; 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 these health concerns lead to higher
health care costs that negatively impact Pennsylvania's
taxpayers; and
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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, The number of health club members who are under 18
years of age has increased 33% in Pennsylvania and 60%
nationally; 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, Nationally, 75% of health care expenditures go
toward the diagnosing and treatment of chronic diseases, many of
which have been linked to obesity and physical inactivity; and
WHEREAS, Pennsylvania has some of the highest health care
costs, ranking 11th out of 51 in health care spending per
capita; and
WHEREAS, Less than 20% of Pennsylvania's youth meet
recommended levels of aerobic and muscle strengthening physical
activity; and
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WHEREAS, In response to the health challenges facing
Pennsylvania's adolescents, many health clubs in this
Commonwealth have created programs targeting children and
adolescents and have also developed specific programs for
families to exercise and live 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, 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 promote the coordination of
activities to support physical activity and to encourage all
Pennsylvanians to adopt a healthy lifestyle; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate the
week of April 25 through 29, 2016, as "Every Kid Healthy Week"
in Pennsylvania.
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