Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health, to which was referred H.B. No. 379 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to establish the Physical Activity and Nutrition Coalition Task Force (Task Force) to address the rising trend and serious health problem of obesity in Hawaii.

The American Academy of Pediatrics, American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, Hawaii Medical Service Association, and Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children supported this bill. The Department of Health supported the intent of this measure. The Department of Education opposed this bill.

Your Committee finds that obesity is a serious health risk of epidemic proportion which is greatly affecting Hawaii's population. The most disturbing trend in this health issue is the increased rate of childhood obesity. Your Committee recognizes the seriousness of this issue as obesity has been linked as a cause to so many other more detrimental health problems such as heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, and diabetes.

In an attempt to increase the effectiveness of this measure, your Committee has amended this bill by:

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 379, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 379, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Finance.