Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Health and Human Services, to which was referred S.B. No. 491 entitled:

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish the Physical Activity and Nutrition Coalition Task Force for the State.

The American Heart Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Cancer Society, Kapi'olani Medical Center for Women & Children, Hawaii Medical Services Association, and Papa Ola Lokahi submitted testimony in support of this measure. The Department of Education submitted testimony in opposition. The Department of Health submitted comments.

Your Committees find that obesity is considered to be the major health issue of the twenty-first century. People who are overweight or obese are at risk for numerous health conditions including type two diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, dyslipidemia, some types of cancer, gallstones, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, premature death, sleep apnea, and respiratory problems, as well as poorer physical functioning status and lower life expectancy.

Obesity rates have soared throughout the United States, with approximately one-third of the adult population in Hawaii self-reporting that they are overweight. Obesity in childhood is a predicator for obesity in adulthood. The number of overweight children in the United States has doubled in the part thirty years.

Obesity is a problem that needs to be addressed on a variety of levels. While increasing physical activity and developing habits of proper nutrition are considered effective methods for curbing rates of obesity, Hawaii does not yet have a plan to put such strategies into place. A physical activity and nutrition coalition task force can develop a state nutrition and physical activity plan to address obesity in Hawaii and can be central in supporting physical activity and proper nutrition for its residents.

Your Committees have amended this measure by:

(2) Having the task force members appointed by the Governor;

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Health and Human Services that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 491, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 491, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.