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Alexander: Mounting Childhood Obesity Is A National Crisis
Presides Over Senate Committee Hearing in Nashville with Health Experts and Contestant from TV’s “The Biggest Loser” |
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October 23rd, 2008 - Nashville, Tenn. - U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) said in Nashville today that childhood obesity has become a national epidemic and that will require efforts by all levels of society – including individuals and their families, schools, the government, and the private sector – to reverse this problem.
“Today's children are likely to be the first generation to live shorter, less healthy lives than their parents because of rising rates of child obesity. Tennessee has the 4th highest childhood obesity rate in the country, but this isn’t just a problem for Tennessee alone – this is a national epidemic,” said Alexander, during a field hearing in Nashville of the Subcommittee on Children and Families of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP). “Over the last 40 years, obesity rates quadrupled for children ages 6-11 years, and tripled for adolescents ages 12-19 years. In addition to the numerous adverse health effects associated with childhood obesity, some reports indicate that childhood obesity costs an estimated $14 billion annually in direct health expenses.”
Alexander, a senior member of the HELP Committee and ranking Republican on its Subcommittee on Children and Families, was joined at the hearing by Tennessee Department of Health Commissioner Susan Cooper, Dr. Shari Barkin of the Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, Dr. Susanna Tropez-Sims of Meharry Medical College, and David Griffin from Season 4 of NBC’s “The Biggest Loser.” The witnesses testified about the scope of the child obesity problem and discussed ways to address it. Mr. Griffin, a native of Cedar Hill, Tenn., also shared his life-changing experience of being a contestant of “The Biggest Loser.” Despite being the eighth contestant cut from the show, Griffin eventually lost 180 pounds.
Today’s hearing builds on two previous hearings held in Washington by the Children and Families Subcommittee to examine the dangerous consequences of childhood obesity and possible solutions to address this growing problem.
“Our response as a nation to preventing or addressing this childhood obesity epidemic as a country has been woefully inadequate,” Alexander continued. “Efforts to reverse this problem will require efforts across society, individuals and their families, schools, the government, and the private sector as well.”
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| October 2008 Press Releases: |
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October 31, 2008 -
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Alexander: New Center Will Help Preserve Howard Baker’s Legacy for New Generation of Leaders
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October 31, 2008 -
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Members of Tennessee Delegation Announce Drought Declaration for 39 Counties in Tennessee
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October 29, 2008 -
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Alexander One of Two U.S. Senators to Receive National Guard’s Medal of Merit
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October 28, 2008 -
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Alexander Calls for Equal Treatment for Tennesseans in GI Bill
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October 27, 2008 -
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Alexander Receives “Friend of The Farm Bureau” Award
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October 23, 2008 -
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current Press Release
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October 21, 2008 -
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Alexander: Brainpower Advantage is Key to Keeping Tennessee's Good Paying Jobs
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October 17, 2008 -
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Alexander Says Increased Support for Homeless Assistance Programs Will Help Programs Like the Chattanooga Community Kitchen Continue Feeding those in Need
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October 15, 2008 -
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Alexander: Tennessee Can Lead Development of Clean Energy Technology
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October 14, 2008 -
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Alexander: Vonore Biorefinery Keeps Tennessee on Cutting Edge in Push for Clean Energy Independence
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October 10, 2008 -
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Alexander, Corker, L. Davis Announce $25,000 for Motlow State Community College
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October 10, 2008 -
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Alexander, Corker, L.Davis Announce $31,912 for White County Museum
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October 10, 2008 -
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Alexander, Corker, L.Davis Announce $500,000 for Grundy County Water System
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October 10, 2008 -
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Members of Tennessee Delegation Request Drought Declaration for 11 Additional Counties
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October 10, 2008 -
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Lawrence, Lewis Counties Added to Appalachian Regional Commission
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October 9, 2008 -
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Alexander: HOPE for Homeowners Program Could Help Many of the 67,000 Tennesseans Facing Foreclosure
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October 9, 2008 -
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Alexander, Corker, Gordon Announce $272,900 for Clay County Water System
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October 9, 2008 -
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Alexander, Corker, Wamp Announce $75,000 for the Clearfork Community Institute
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October 9, 2008 -
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Alexander, Corker, Wamp Announce $256,500 for Rhea Medical Center
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October 8, 2008 -
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Alexander: Tennesseans Will Receive More Coverage for Mental Health
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October 3, 2008 -
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Alexander Statement on Final Passage of Bipartisan Economic Rescue Plan
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October 3, 2008 -
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Alexander Celebrates 10th Anniversary of Outstanding Military Service in Millington
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October 3, 2008 -
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Alexander Celebrates 10th Anniversary of Outstanding Military Service in Millington
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October 1, 2008 -
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Alexander Votes to Protect Taxpayers from Looming Credit Crunch
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October 1, 2008 -
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Alexander Says U.S.–India Nuclear Agreement Will Be a Pillar of American Foreign Policy
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