HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.C.R. NO.

122

TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2006

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 
   


HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

urging HAWAII'S cOUNty, state, and federal LEVEL government OFFICIALS to play an active role in creating "heart healthy communities".

 

 

WHEREAS, more than half of the adults in America live inactive lifestyles and two-thirds are overweight or obese; and

WHEREAS, since the 1950s, sedentary American jobs have increased by eighty-three per cent, the number of people who drive to work has increased by thirty per cent, and suburban residents have increased by one hundred fifteen per cent; and

WHEREAS, during the same period, student attendance in physical education classes has dropped twenty-three per cent, and daily television viewing has increased sixty per cent; and

WHEREAS, in addition, commercial food consumption has surged, and the creation of suburban communities has resulted in dramatic increases in car travel and a sharp decline in walking; and

WHEREAS, a recent study by the Rand Corporation found that people who live in more densely populated places, where the streets are laid out on a grid and sidewalks, residential neighborhoods, and street-front shops encourage walking, were more likely to exercise enough to ward off chronic illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and stroke; and

WHEREAS, the study also found that people who live in suburban communities that are more geographically spread out and have fewer exercise amenities have higher rates for the same chronic illnesses; and

WHEREAS, many public agencies throughout the country are now teaming up with foundations, universities, and private companies to launch a new kind of health campaign that focuses on improving people's exercise and food options instead of reforming their behavior; and

WHEREAS, Congress recently revised the national school-lunch law to require that participating public schools create nutrition and exercise policies, and forty states have introduced legislation for the same purposes; and

WHEREAS, the State of New Jersey has adopted a sweeping plan to restrict fat, sugar, and portion sizes for any food served in its public schools and the State of California is proposing to extend a ban on soft drink sales in high schools; and

WHEREAS, community planners and other government leaders can help to create environments that include healthier food choices in schools and public buildings and exercise choices, such as mass transit alternatives, expanded parks, bike lanes, walking paths, and other amenities, to make it easier to get and stay fit; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2006, the Senate concurring, that Hawaii's county, state, and federal level government officials are urged to play an active role in creating "heart healthy communities" by fostering and encouraging healthy lifestyles through their public policy development and community planning responsibilities; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to Hawaii's congressional delegation, the Governor of the State of Hawaii, the Director of Health, the Superintendent of Education, and the Mayors and Council Chairpersons of each county in Hawaii.

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title:

Health; Heart Healthy Communities