| Health care is at the center of the political world as reforming our current health care system has become a top priority under President Barack Obama.
A piece of the health care puzzle was discussed by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand today, as she released her report on obesity that featured several important facts and a plan to address childhood obesity.
Here are some of the highlights:
- Nearly 60 percent of adults in New York are either obese or overweight. The report has the county-by-county breakdowns, but the region breakdown tells the story.
New York City: 55 percent of adults either obese or overweight
Long Island: 54 percent of adults either obese or overweight
Hudson Valley: 57 percent of adults either obese or overweight
Capital Region: 59 percent of adults either obese or overweight
North Country: 62 percent of adults either obese or overweight
Central New York: 59 percent of adults either obese or overweight
Southern Tier: 61 percent of adults either obese or overweight
Rochester-Finger Lakes: 59 percent of adults either obese or overweight
Western New York: 60 percent of adults either obese or overweight
- Gillibrand will introduce legislation banning trans fats in public schools. Any school receiving federal funds would be required to eliminate foods from schools that have trans fats in them.
- Gillibrand is working with Sen. Tom Harkin, who heads the Senate Agriculture Committee, to give the USDA more authority in regulating junk food in schools.
- The reimbursement rate would increase under Gillibrand's plan for the National School Lunch Program. The goal is to provide schools with the necessary funds to make lunches healthier and more nutritional for students.
- The Improved Nutrition and Physical Activity Act is a piece of legislation that Gillibrand will introduce to promote exercise among young people and assist communities that have high rates of obesity get obese and overweight people working out and active.
From the press release:
With health care reform the top priority for Congress, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is focusing her efforts on reducing childhood obesity, announcing a new plan to ban trans fats in school and provide healthier school lunches. As the first New York Senator in 40 years to sit on the Senate Agriculture Committee, Senator Gillibrand is providing New Yorkers with a seat at the table as congress debates how to improve the health of children and the food they eat each day. From her seat on the Committee, Senator Gillibrand is working to secure more federal funds for New York State to combat childhood obesity and lower health care costs..
"As Congress debates how to improve health care access and lower health care costs, we must also pursue a strategy to tackle childhood obesity and improve the health of our future generations," Senator Gillibrand said. "We can't afford to let our children grow up in a culture of obesity. If our children are going to have the opportunity to reach their potential, they need a healthy start. The most effective way to address obesity is to provide healthier food and exercise opportunities for our children. We need to be taking real steps to give parents, schools and communities the resources they need to give our children access to fresh fruits and vegetables."
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over the last 30 years, obesity among American children ages six to 11 has more than doubled - from 6.5 percent to 17 percent. In the same timeframe, obesity among 12 to 19-year-olds has more than tripled - from five percent to nearly 18 percent.
Studies show that the most effective way to prevent obesity is to address it during childhood by instilling healthy habits. Obesity puts children at risk of developing serious diseases, including Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, hypertension and other conditions like depression. Obesity keeps children from performing their best at school. Studies show that being overweight or obese can have a negative effect on math and reading scores - and keeps students out of school for more sick days. According to a recent study by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, performance on standardized tests is strongly correlated to physical fitness levels.
These initiatives are key to addressing the problem. On a personal level, I have lost 50 pounds since June 2008 just by riding my bike on a regular basis and by playing tennis and other outdoor sports. Staying active is important and eating right is just as important. Both play a big role in staying healthy and living a fruitful life. |
