Congresswoman Fudge Highlights Childhood Obesity Amongst Minority Communities
July 11, 2010 by mlfudge
Filed under Featured Articles, Health Care, Issues
WASHINGTON, DC—Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge (OH-11) hosted a standing room only briefing to shed light on the issue of childhood obesity in minority and other underserved communities. The briefing, coming on the heels the House and Senate passing her bill to designate September as Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, featured a panel of experts who represent a range of civil rights and health care organizations. The audience also heard testimony from Salena Williams, a 15 year old constituent from Euclid, Ohio. Salena described her struggle to lose 45 pounds and conquer diabetes, a journey that took her from a hospital emergency room to wellness.
In her opening remarks, Congresswoman Fudge shared her views of childhood obesity as an epidemic with enormous health, economic, and civil rights implications. “We’re here to empower our communities, our parents, and our kids to be fit for life. We’re here to find real solutions to the barriers that prevent some kids from living healthy, long lives,” said Congresswoman Fudge. “We’re here to put our heads together to end childhood obesity within a generation…We can’t afford to wait. Our children and future generations need our leadership to bring about change.”
The facts on how childhood obesity affects minority communities are striking. The Congresswoman cited the following statistics during the panel:
•Among America’s high school students, 34 percent of Latinos are overweight or obese. For Black students the rate stands at 36 percent.
•Obesity rates also appear to have some relationship with poverty rates in many states. Six of the states with the highest poverty rates are also in the top 10 states with the highest obesity rates. Many of the states with the lowest poverty rates are among the states with the lowest rates of obesity.
•14.8 percent of Children ages 2-5 from low income families are obese compared with 12.4 percent of all U.S. children of similar age.
• The highest childhood obesity rates are among American Indian and Alaska Native children (20.2%) and Latino children (18.3%).
•According to the Centers for Disease Control, one in three children born in the year 2000 will develop diabetes in his or her lifetime if current trends continue. For minority kids, nearly one in two will develop diabetes.
As one of Congresswoman Fudge’s top priorities, Congresswoman Fudge will continue to sponsor relevant legislation to address these startling statistics.
House Passes Fudge/Granger Resolution to Designate September as National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month
May 31, 2010 by mlfudge
Filed under Featured Articles, Health Care, Issues
WARRENSVILLE HEIGHTS –Recognizing the serious threat obesity poses to the health of America’s children, the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a resolution designating September 2010 as National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month. Representatives Marcia L. Fudge (OH-11) and Kay Granger (TX-12) introduced the measure. The companion resolution, introduced by U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillbrand of New York and George Voinovich of Ohio, unanimously passed the Senate in April.
“Since arriving in Congress, I’ve dedicated myself to helping kids live longer and healthier,” said Congresswoman Fudge. Nearly one in three American children are already overweight or obese. A study conducted by University Hospitals in Cleveland found that the rate in Ohio is even higher, close to 36% for children 10 -17. “Unless we work to reverse this epidemic, these 23 million kids will be in danger of becoming the first generation in American history to have shorter life spans than their parents.”
Congresswoman Fudge says dedicating at least one month per year to the crisis will help maximize the impact of programs, activities and campaigns– all aligned with the sole purpose of eradicating childhood obesity.
Rep. Fudge and her colleagues are pleased that First Lady Michelle Obama has also made childhood obesity one of her top priorities.
“Childhood obesity is a public health crisis”, Rep. Granger said. “Children need information and guidance to make informed decisions about food and exercise. Childhood Obesity Awareness Month supports the goals of families, schools, and communities who are working to ensure we raise a healthier generation. If we keep our kids healthy now it will alleviate a major burden on our health care system while giving millions of young people the opportunity to live longer, healthier lives.”
The financial implications of childhood obesity are overwhelming, at $14 billion per year in direct health care costs. The excess pounds on America’s youth also have national security implications, with an estimated 27% of 17 to 24 year olds too overweight to join the military.
H.R. 996 is a bipartisan resolution supported by over 75 national organizations. “With a strong unity of purpose, we can make a difference” Rep. Fudge stated. “I look forward to parents, health care providers, educators, civic leaders and organizations joining the effort to prevent childhood obesity and promote healthier lifestyles. Nothing can be more important than protecting the health and wellbeing of our children for years to come.”
