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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Representatives of Healthy Living Matters are |
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visiting the State Capitol on March 27, 2013, and this occasion |
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provides an ideal opportunity to honor the group for its efforts to |
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curb childhood obesity in Harris County; and |
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WHEREAS, A public-private collaborative, Healthy Living |
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Matters unites area leaders from a variety of sectors to formulate |
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and promote policies that can bring about system and environmental |
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changes that will have a positive impact on the well-being of young |
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Texans; it was established in 2011 as a two-year initiative through |
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a $2.5 million grant from the Houston Endowment to the Harris County |
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Healthcare Alliance, and it is overseen by Harris County Public |
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Health and Environmental Services; and |
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WHEREAS, Childhood obesity has more than doubled among |
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children and tripled among adolescents in the United States over |
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the past three decades; in Texas, more than a fifth of children |
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suffer from obesity, which has both immediate and long-term effects |
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on their health and well-being; obese youth are more likely to have |
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risk factors for cardiovascular disease, and they are more prone to |
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prediabetes, sleep apnea, and bone and joint problems, as well as |
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social and psychological problems, such as stigmatization and poor |
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self-esteem; moreover, children and adolescents who are obese are |
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likely to remain obese as adults, heightening their susceptibility |
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to a host of diseases; and |
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WHEREAS, In Harris County, parents trying to raise healthy |
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children currently face a number of challenges; for instance, many |
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neighborhoods lack safe, accessible places for youngsters to play |
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and do not have grocery stores with a good selection of healthy |
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foods; the members of Healthy Living Matters are working to |
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identify and address obstacles to fitness and well-being in |
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consultation with experts in such areas as child health, community |
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planning, economic development, and the environment; and |
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WHEREAS, Childhood obesity is an increasingly serious |
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problem in our society, but the members of Healthy Living Matters |
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are committed to crafting policies that will make it easier for |
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Harris County families to choose lifestyles that support wellness; |
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now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas |
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Legislature hereby honor Healthy Living Matters for its noteworthy |
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contributions and extend to the members sincere best wishes for |
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success in their important work; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for Healthy Living Matters as an expression of high regard |
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by the Texas House of Representatives. |