HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	106
TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2013
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE RESOLUTION

requesting the University of Hawaii John A. Burns school of medicine to INCLUDE a mandatory course on childhood obesity in the curriculum for all medical students.

     WHEREAS, childhood obesity rates in the United States have tripled over the past three decades, and today nearly one in three children in the United States are overweight or obese; and

     WHEREAS, obese children may experience immediate health consequences that can lead to weight-related health problems in adulthood, including heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, asthma, and sleep apnea; and

     WHEREAS, in addition to being at risk of poor physical health, overweight and obese children are often targets of early social discrimination and stigmatization that can cause low self-esteem and hinder academic and social functioning; and

WHEREAS, the recent rise in child obesity rates is attributable to poor eating habits, lack of exercise, and unhealthy lifestyles; and

     WHEREAS, the prevention and management of childhood obesity can be greatly enhanced by raising awareness and knowledge within the medical profession of the causes, risk factors, and treatment options for this nationwide health problem; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-seventh Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2013, that the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine is requested to include a mandatory course on childhood obesity in the curriculum for all medical students; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the mandatory course on childhood obesity provide information regarding:

     (1)  The incidence and prevalence of obesity among children from birth through adolescence;

     (2)  The short- and long-term consequences of childhood obesity;

     (3)  Major factors contributing to childhood obesity;

     (4)  Approaches to the treatment of overweight or obese children and adolescents; and

     (5)  Individual and public health approaches to the prevention of childhood obesity; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the University of Hawaii Board of Regents, the President of the University of Hawaii System, the Dean of the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine, and the Director of Health.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

Childhood Obesity; Mandatory Course in UH School of Medicine Curriculum