Reps. Schor, Barnett, Brown, Driskell, Durhal, Geiss, Slavens, Stanley and Switalski offered the following resolution:

House Resolution No. 339.

            A resolution to declare May 2014 as Childhood Obesity Awareness Month in the state of Michigan. 

            Whereas, Childhood obesity has continued to be an epidemic in Michigan; and

            Whereas, There are a variety of well-documented health-related issues associated with childhood obesity; and

            Whereas, Michigan ranked 24th in the nation in childhood obesity for 10 to 17 year olds in 2011, according to the National Council of State Legislators; and

Whereas, Childhood obesity can not only lead to physical problems, but social and emotional problems, according to the Michigan Department of Community Health; and 

            Whereas, Stress, anxiety, bullying, depression, and learning problems have been associated with childhood obesity; and

            Whereas, Obesity in children can cause problems such as increased risk of heart disease, asthma, type 2 diabetes, and sleep apnea, according to the federal ‘Let’s Move Campaign’; and

            Whereas, If left untreated, the issues affected children can last into adulthood and cause further problems; and

            Whereas, Michigan ranked 40th in prevalence of obese adults in 2012, according to the Centers for Disease Control; and

            Whereas, According to the Centers for Disease Control, obesity in adults can cause problems such as increased risk of: heart disease, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes; and

            Whereas, The risk of stroke increase as body mass index increases, according to the National Institutes of Health; and

            Whereas, There is an increased risk of osteoarthritis due to the increased pressure on a person’s joints that comes with obesity, according to the National Institutes of Health; and

            Whereas, A number of public and private entities in Michigan recognize the need to better promote healthy lifestyles for our residents; and

            Whereas, For example, the University of Michigan has recently launched statewide a program known as Building Healthy Communities through the University of Michigan Health Systems; and

            Whereas, This program is aimed at helping elementary and middle schools limit unhealthier food and beverages from school cafeterias; and

            Whereas, The Michigan Legislature has also made a commitment to obesity prevention by keeping physical education coursework included in graduation requirements; and

            Whereas, The Governor of Michigan has instituted a program known as ‘A Healthy Michigan’; and

            Whereas, This program strives to create strategies for reducing obesity and improving health programs for citizens throughout our state; and 

            Whereas, The 4 by 4 program helps with four basic foundations of a healthy lifestyles; and

            Whereas, The first foundation is maintaining a healthy diet; and

            Whereas, The second foundation is engaging in regular exercise; and

            Whereas, The third foundation is maintaining a strong doctor-patient relationship  including annual physical examinations; and

            Whereas, The fourth foundation is to avoid tobacco use; and

            Whereas, The State of Michigan continues to work with many different groups and individuals to fight the issue of both Childhood and Adult Obesity; now, therefore, be it  

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That members of this legislative body declare May 2014 as Childhood Obesity Awareness Month in the state of Michigan.