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Introduction of the Reducing Obesity in Youth Act

Floor Speech

Date: July 26, 2018
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Minors and Children Health and Health Care

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Mr. COHEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Reducing Obesity in Youth Act, a bill I introduced earlier today along with my colleagues Rosa DeLauro and Jan Schakowsky. This bill would promote beneficial healthy eating and physical activity habits for children.

I was disheartened to learn that Tennessee has the highest childhood obesity rate in the country. While, nationally, 31 percent of kids are obese or overweight--a number that is already too high--in Tennessee, the rate is 38 percent.

Childhood obesity has lifelong consequences. It leaves our kids at a higher rate for cardiovascular disease, including heart disease and stroke, diabetes, and even certain types of cancer.

Research has shown that early childhood is a critical time for the development of lifelong dietary and physical activities.

That is why we are introducing the Reducing Obesity in Youth Act.

If enacted, this bill would create a competitive grant program to incentivize the development of healthier early care and education environments to improve healthy eating and physical activity for children under five.

It's time that we act. I urge my colleagues to help pass this bill.

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