If we had a growing health problem that affected 20% of all Americans we would demand that the President of this great country do SOMETHING.  If such a disease was related to ailments like high blood pressure, congestive heart failure and osteoarthritis, we would expect ACTION immediately. 

I had the great privilege and honor of riding with President George W. Bush on Air Force One after his visit to Nashville last week.  As a Member of Congress, when you are presented with the opportunity to have a "captive audience" with the President, you must take advantage of it.  I thought about all of the important issues I wanted to bring to his attention.  There are many critical domestic issues, such as Homeland Security and education, but I decided that I wanted to talk to the President about the grim health problem that IS plaguing 20% of Americans -OBESITY.

President Bush is arguably the most physically fit President in our country's history. At 57 years old he can run a 5K race in under 20 minutes and 30 seconds and he can bench press more than his own body weight - incredible feats for anyone in their 50's, but especially for someone with a schedule as hectic as his.  When we need a role model for physical activity, we need not look any further than 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

As the founder of the newly formed Congressional Fitness Caucus, I shared with President Bush and Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist some scary statistics that have recently been brought to my attention by national experts.

The state of Tennessee actually has a higher rate of obesity than the rest of the county - 22.9% of the citizens of Tennessee are considered obese and 32.9% say that they are "inactive."  A recent Center for Disease Control (CDC) report found that nearly half of American youths aged 12 to 21 are not vigorously active on a regular basis and participation in all types of physical activity declines as age increases.  This is not good news for the future of America's youth.

Chronic obesity is the greatest healthcare risk in America today.  Type II Diabetes is now rampant among our population and government healthcare costs alone (Medicare and Medicaid) cannot be sustained unless we reverse these trends quickly.

When facing a growing problem such as this, especially as it relates to young people, you need to follow the "Rule of Holes" - when you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is quit digging!  Reversing the obesity trend starts with small changes in diet and exercise. 

According to nutrition expert Jim Hill, the creator of the  "America on the Move" program, if the average American would digest 100 fewer calories per day (basically one soft drink) and burn 100 more calories per day (taking a 20 minute brisk walk), the obesity trend would begin to turn-around. 

During the impromptu strategy session aboard Air Force One, the President and I spoke about the need for a rigorous physical fitness curriculum in public schools.  I shared with him my concern that the No Child Left Behind legislation may inadvertently squeeze out P.E. programs because of the accountability provisions on core subjects, like math and English. 

We also discussed the need for a national media campaign targeted at American youth so the average child is motivated to get outside and play, walk and run.  Programs such as "America on the Move" can be effective if they are grassroots' partnerships between the local and state government, business interests and youth groups.