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."

May 19, 2010 -- Unedited Transcript Courtesy of CQ:
thank you so much. this is something for which i'm very, very passionate. i am pleased and proud to be one of the sponsors of this legislation and to be on this floor today to talk just briefly about it. i, along with representative kay granger of texas, introduced house resolution 996 designating september, 2010, as national childhood obesity awareness month. s that bipartisan resolution supported by over 75 national organizations, including the u.s. conference of mayor the national education association, the ymca, the ywca, the american medical association, the united way, naacp, the national indian health board.

dedicating at least one month out of each year to bring awareness this issue of childhood obesity will help maximize the effect of programming, messaging, and campaigns all aligned with the sole purpose of eradicating childhood obesity.

according to the alliance for a healthier generation, one in three american children are already overweight or obese. unless we work to reverse this epidemic, these 23 million kids will be in danger of never being grand parents. imagine -- of never being grandparents. imagine, living a life and knowing you may never live long enough to be a grandparent. imagine the day when our children can't play on playgrounds because they can't play kick ball because they're winded or they sknt play basketball because they're winded or they can't run track. this is very, very important.

i want to say that it is significant that we today work with the white house and so many others who are looking at how we deal with not just obesity but nutrition. it is important for us to be sure that young people receive a healthy start and a lot of that is not in the hands of young people. it is in our hands. the financial implications of childhood obesity are overwhelming. at $14 billion per year in direct health care costs, supporting awareness and prevention of childhood obesity will eliminate billions of dollars in unnecessary health care costs and help promote a healthier lifestyle that will prolong and improve the lives of the next generation of americans.