American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance - AAHPERD

Solving the Problem of Childhood Obesity Within a Generation

Today, the Office of the First Lady released the action plan from the Interagency Childhood Obesity Task Force, Solving the Problem of Childhood Obesity within a Generation. This report provides a national road map that will help solve the epidemic of childhood obesity in a generation so that children born today will reach adulthood at a healthy weight.

The Administration has laid out a comprehensive strategy that, if made a national priority and implemented, should reduce obesity. From urging companies to improve restaurant children's meals and reducing unhealthy food marketing to getting good food in and junk food out of schools, the recommendations are bold, yet achievable. Straight away, Congress could deliver on many of the Task Force recommendations by completing the child nutrition reauthorization. With one day's attention, the Senate could pass the Agriculture Committee's bill, which would provide a historic increase in school lunch funding, get junk food out of vending machines, and help schools implement stronger nutrition and physical activity wellness policies. Please urge your Senators to help; ask them to sign on to the letter being circulated by Senators Lincoln and Chambliss, which asks Senate leadership to vote on the child nutrition bill as soon as possible.

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