SRC-MKV H.C.R. 223 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.C.R. 223 77R12321 MKS-DBy: Coleman (Moncrief) Health & Human Services 5/9/2001 Engrossed DIGEST Diets deficient in calcium are associated with many health disorders such as osteoporosis, hypertension, preeclampsia, and colon cancer. The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development concludes that inadequate calcium consumption among children and adolescents is a growing problem and a serious threat to their later health, growth, and development. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the diets of more than 50 percent of children are calcium deficient, and only 13 percent of teenage girls consume enough calcium to develop strong bones that support full growth. Many children and adolescents have calcium deficient diets as a result of consuming foods and beverages that are low in calcium and drinking soft drinks that rob the body of calcium or increase the need for calcium. PURPOSE As proposed, H.C.R. 223 submits the following resolutions: Provides that the 77th Legislature of the State of Texas directs the Texas Department of Health to prepare a list of available foods and beverages fortified with calcium and vitamin D and to forward the list and this resolution to the Texas Education Agency, each school superintendent, school board, Parent-Teacher Association, and each primary and secondary school. Requires the secretary of state to forward an official copy of this resolution to the chair of the Texas Board of Health, to the commissioner of health of the Texas Department of Health, to the commissioner of education of the Texas Education Agency, and to every school superintendent, school board, and Parent-Teacher Association in the state.