Legislation to Fight Obesity May Hit Congress Soon
I just love when government gets decides to through money at a problem. Here we see they are suggesting throwing some $80 million to increase physical education and educate on nutrition. Hello??? How about these awful school lunches? And how about the fact that schools are given large sums of money to place pop machines in the schools? Don’t count on any intervention here; that would actually make sense and end up with positive results. Don’t choke on the quote from one of the lobbyist stating that we should not steer kids towards healthier food choices–these people actually said this!!
May 22 – The US Senate will soon see legislation aimed at reducing skyrocketing levels of obesity in American children and adolescents, lawmakers said Tuesday. Draft legislation in circulation on Capitol Hill could authorize billions in government spending to encourage increased physical activity and improved nutrition at schools. The proposal is an attempt to help quell the number of obese and overweight children in the US, which has doubled over the last 20 years, they said. American obesity and overweight rates have become an increasing source of concern for US health officials. A recent report from former US Surgeon General Dr. David Satcher said that obesity had reached “epidemic proportion,” leading to 300,000 premature deaths and costing the economy $120 billion annually. Over 8 million US children currently meet the clinical definitions of being overweight or obese, according to federal health figures. “The data are likely to get worse, not better,” said Sen. Bill Frist (R-TN), the ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee subpanel on public health. The committee is preparing to introduce legislation that would authorize $40 million in federal spending next year to expand a federal program designed to help schools implement physical education and nutrition classes. Another $40 million would be authorized for states and communities to build parks, bike paths, and recreation centers and to promote physical activities among residents. Some money in the bill would also be funneled through a nutrition and physical activity program at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Some health groups have called for restrictions on “pouring rights” at schools in which soft drink makers or food manufacturers send cash to financially needy schools in exchange for exclusive marketing rights to students attending classes. Senate aides said that the bill, still in draft form, is unlikely to directly restrict soft drink and food manufacturers from pursuing the deals. Lobbying groups for the beverage and food industries said they support nutrition programs in schools but urged lawmakers to avoid funding any programs that seek to steer children to healthier foods. “Restricting, taxing, or prohibiting certain foods will almost certainly not work,” said Lisa Katic, a health policy advisor with the Grocery Manufacturers of America.