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H.C.R. 15

             1     

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ON OBESITY

             2     
2012 GENERAL SESSION

             3     
STATE OF UTAH

             4     
Chief Sponsor: Stewart Barlow

             5     
Senate Sponsor: Allen M. Christensen

             6     
             7      LONG TITLE
             8      General Description:
             9          This concurrent resolution of the Legislature and the Governor recognizes obesity as a
             10      significant public health and economic issue in Utah and urges support of policy
             11      development that addresses the obesity problem in Utah and promotes public awareness
             12      of the adverse affects of obesity on individual health.
             13      Highlighted Provisions:
             14          This resolution:
             15          .    recognizes obesity as a serious public health and economic issue impacting Utah;
             16          .    expresses support for improving the health and lifestyles of adults and children in
             17      Utah by promoting activities that encourage healthy weight;
             18          .    supports policies that promote increased access to healthy food and physical
             19      activity; and
             20          .    recognizes the need to support initiatives to educate the Utah public about solutions
             21      to the obesity epidemic.
             22      Special Clauses:
             23          None
             24     
             25      Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah, the Governor concurring therein:
             26          WHEREAS, 16.9% of American children and adolescents ages 2 to 19 are obese, and
             27      31.7% are overweight, which translates into 12 million children and adolescents who are obese


             28      and more than 23 million who are obese or overweight;
             29          WHEREAS, more than half of Utah adults are overweight or obese and almost one in
             30      four are obese;
             31          WHEREAS, in 2010, 1,138,515 adult Utahns were overweight or obese and 454,735
             32      were obese;
             33          WHEREAS, in 2010, over one in five elementary school age Utah children were
             34      overweight or obese;
             35          WHEREAS, the percentage of obese adults in Utah has more than doubled since 1989;
             36          WHEREAS, overweight children and adults are at greater risk for numerous adverse
             37      health consequences, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, high
             38      cholesterol, certain cancers, asthma, low self-esteem, depression, and other debilitating
             39      diseases;
             40          WHEREAS, the medical costs of obesity have risen to $147 billion each year;
             41          WHEREAS, the medical cost of obesity in Utah was estimated at $393 million in 2000
             42      and has increased since then;
             43          WHEREAS, per capita medical spending for the obese is $1,429 higher per year, or
             44      42% higher, than for someone of normal weight;
             45          WHEREAS, obesity has been linked to increases in workers' compensation claims;
             46          WHEREAS, studies show dramatically higher health care costs for overweight and
             47      obese patients and lower productivity in the workplace;
             48          WHEREAS, overweight and obese children are absent from school at a higher rate and
             49      are less likely to perform well academically;
             50          WHEREAS, obesity is the second leading preventable cause of disease and premature
             51      death, second only to tobacco use;
             52          WHEREAS, good nutrition is a central part of any obesity prevention effort as healthier
             53      diets could prevent at least $71 billion per year in medical costs, lost productivity, and lost
             54      lives;
             55          WHEREAS, studies show that most Americans and Utahns do not eat the
             56      recommended intake of fruits, vegetables, or whole grains;
             57          WHEREAS, most Americans and Utahns are failing to meet the Centers for Disease
             58      Control and Prevention's recommendations of at least 150 minutes of moderate physical


             59      activity per week for adults, and at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity
             60      for children every day;
             61          WHEREAS, infants who are breast-fed are less likely to become obese children or
             62      adults;
             63          WHEREAS, individuals from ages 2 to 28 consume 365 calories per day on average
             64      from added sugars, more than double the discretionary calorie allowance in the 2010 Dietary
             65      Guidelines for Americans;
             66          WHEREAS, sweetened beverages account for 22% of empty calories in children's
             67      diets; and
             68          WHEREAS, individual effort alone is insufficient to combat obesity's rising tide, and
             69      significant societal and environmental changes are needed to support individual efforts to make
             70      healthy changes:
             71          NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah, the
             72      Governor concurring therein, recognizes obesity as a serious public health and economic issue
             73      impacting Utah.
             74          BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah, the Governor
             75      concurring therein, supports goals and objectives in the Utah Nutrition and Physical Activity
             76      Plan, 2010-2020.
             77          BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah, the Governor
             78      concurring therein, urges communities, schools, worksites, and healthcare communities to
             79      implement policies to increase access to healthy food and physical activity.
             80          BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah, the Governor
             81      concurring therein, consider the impact of existing and impending legislation and policy
             82      initiatives on obesity risk and prevention.
             83          BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah, the Governor
             84      concurring therein, support initiatives that educate Utahns about solutions to Utah's obesity
             85      epidemic.





Legislative Review Note
    as of 2-17-12 9:50 AM


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