HR1404 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1404 LRB094 21324 HSS 59700 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Two out of every three Americans are now overweight or obese; the percentage of young people who are overweight has more than tripled since 1980; among children and adolescents aged 6 to 19 years, over 9 million young people are considered overweight; and

WHEREAS, A recent study found that because of the rapid rise in obesity rates, today's youth may become the first generation to live shorter lives than their parents; obesity significantly increases the risk of serious chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and some cancers; and

WHEREAS, In 2000, the estimated annual cost of obesity in the United States was about $117 billion; and

WHEREAS, Despite the proven benefits of physical activity, more than 50% of American adults do not get enough physical activity to provide health benefits; according to the Institute of Medicine, in 1969, an average of 48% of all students and 90% living no more than a mile away walked or bicycled to school; in 1999, only 19% of children walked to or from school and 6% rode bicycles to school; and

WHEREAS, According to the U.S. Surgeon General, as policy makers and health professionals, we must embrace small steps toward coordinated policy and environmental changes that will help Americans live longer, better, healthier lives; achieving energy balance and balancing the amount of calories eaten with calories burned through physical activity each day is the best way to prevent weight gain; and

WHEREAS, Community commitment toward creating policies and environments that provide opportunities for people to enjoy physical activity and make healthy eating choices on a regular basis is essential for effective, lasting change; teachers, parents, business leaders, and others across the nation are joining together with America On the Move and YMCAs nationwide and here in Illinois, including the Decatur Family YMCA, to make these positive changes in our communities; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we recognize the month of September as "Step-tember" in conjunction with America On the Move and YMCA Activate America, and we ask everyone to make two simple changes: move a little more by taking an extra 2,000 steps and eat wisely by consuming 100 fewer calories; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the Decatur Family YMCA as an expression of our esteem.