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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Across Texas, the fifth annual Every Kid Healthy |
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Week is being observed from April 24 through 28, 2017; and |
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WHEREAS, The Lone Star State is home to more than 7 million |
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residents under the age of 18, a segment that represents over 26 |
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percent of the total population; of those young people, nearly 20 |
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percent are considered obese, a condition that can lead to a host of |
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serious health issues, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, |
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asthma, sleep difficulties, and low self-esteem; and |
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WHEREAS, At the national level, 75 percent of health care |
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expenditures go toward diagnosing and treating chronic illnesses, |
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many of which have been linked to obesity and physical inactivity; |
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moreover, the State of Texas annually spends nearly $6,000 per |
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capita on health care; and |
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WHEREAS, Regular physical activity can produce such |
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long-term benefits as greater cardiorespiratory and muscular |
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fitness, better bone health, reduced symptoms of depression, and |
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improved academic performance; the U.S. Department of Health and |
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Human Services recommends children and adolescents participate in |
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an hour or more of physical activity daily, through a combination of |
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aerobic and muscle- and bone-strengthening activities, yet only |
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about 27 percent of young Texans meet those suggested levels; and |
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WHEREAS, In an effort to combat the rising levels of |
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childhood obesity, health clubs throughout the state have created |
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programs specifically designed to encourage families to exercise |
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and follow a healthy diet; in recent years, such initiatives have |
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spurred a dramatic increase in the number of health club members |
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under the age of 18; and |
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WHEREAS, Childhood obesity not only negatively affects our |
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young people's quality of life but also leads to higher health care |
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costs, and this weeklong campaign to raise awareness of this issue |
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serves as a valuable way of educating the public about a critical |
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health epidemic facing our state; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 85th Texas |
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Legislature hereby recognize April 24-28, 2017, as Every Kid |
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Healthy Week and encourage all Texans to meet the recommended |
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levels of physical activity each day. |
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Sheffield |
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______________________________ |
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Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.R. No. 1426 was adopted by the House on April |
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27, 2017, by a non-record vote. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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