Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 7 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the development of a statewide strategic plan to promote obesity prevention and healthy lifestyles.

The Department of Health, the Department of Education, Kaiser Permanente, the American Cancer Society, and Kokua Kalihi Valley submitted testimony in support of this measure.

Your Committee finds that in 2002, more than one-half of Hawaii's adult population was overweight or obese, and in some communities and populations in Hawaii, childhood obesity is twice the national average for children age six to eleven years of age. Hawaii spends about $290,000,000, or 4.9 percent of its total medical expenditures on obesity-related medical conditions.

Your Committee further finds that the promotion of healthy lifestyle choices, including diet and nutrition education and physical activities, helps decrease the prevalence of childhood obesity and its related adverse health effects.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 7 and recommends its adoption.