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Klobuchar Examines Ways to Improve Children's Health

Chairs bipartisan hearing to examine ways to address childhood obesity and other environmental issues affecting children

September 29, 2009

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar, Chairman of the Environment and Public Works Committee’s Subcommittee on Children’s Health, and ranking member Lamar Alexander (R-TN) held a hearing today with children’s health experts to examine the environmental factors that affect the physical, cognitive and emotional health of children.  Klobuchar and panelists explored various issues including air and water quality and childhood obesity and gathered information for the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Office of Children’s Health Protection to use to help safeguard children’s health.

“The economic pressures, the time demands, the many outside influences that affect our children – all of these, and more – make this an especially challenging time for America’s families” said Klobuchar.  “We all have a stake in making sure our kids grow up happy and healthy.  This is important not only for the well-being of our kids, but for the well-being of our country. We need to proactively work to keep our children’s environment healthy and safe.”

Klobuchar highlighted the growing epidemic of childhood obesity.  According to the Centers for Disease Control, one out of every three children in the U.S. between the age of two and 19 is overweight or at risk of becoming overweight.  Obese youth are statistically more likely to be obese as adolescents and then as adults.

In addition to hurting the health of our children, obesity also hurts the economy.  Nationally, the United States spends between $51 billion and $78 billion on health care related to overweight and obese adults -- nearly 9 percent of all medical spending in the U.S. per year.

“When I was in school, recess and physical education class was a time for kids to run around and play games; now recess and gym time is getting shorter and shorter and kids’ waistlines are getting wider and wider,” said Klobuchar.  “To fight childhood obesity, we need to focus on prevention and make sure kids have easy access to safe places to play.” 

Klobuchar highlighted the EPA’s “Smart Growth America” program, which works to build more pedestrian-friendly communities and combat the prevalence of obesity. Studies have shown people living in more walkable communities have a reduced risk of obesity and children with easy access to recreational facilities are more active than those with limited access.

Among the other issues, Klobuchar examined was the impact of outdoor air pollution on children with asthma and Alexander discussed the impact of mercury and sulfur on children and the air they breathe.  Klobuchar also discussed the potential dangers of chemicals like formaldehyde that are found in everyday products and questioned the witnesses on the environmental concerns of autism. 

Klobuchar has actively worked to improve the health of America’s children.  She sponsored the Child Nutrition Promotion and School Lunch Protection Act, which grants the Secretary of Agriculture the authority to regulate the sale of all foods and beverages on school grounds and requires national nutrition standards for these foods. 

Witnesses at today’s hearing included:

•    Dr. Peter Gravett, Director, Environmental Protection Agency Office of Children’s Health Protection and Environmental Education
•    Dr. Linda Birnbaum, Director, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and the National Toxicology Program
•    Dr. Mary Story, Professor, Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Minnesota
•    Dr. Reid Ewing, Professor, Department of City and Metropolitan Planning, University of Utah

Link to Hearing: http://www.epw.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Hearings.Hearing&Hearing_id=e433564c-802a-23ad-4cc4-e1c83d03cbde

Senator Klobuchar discusses childhood obesity on MSNBC’s Morning Joe:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtSJx11lgoo&feature=channel_page