Florida Senate - 2017                             (NP)    SR 542
       
       
        
       By Senator Book
       
       32-00699A-17                                           2017542__
    1                          Senate Resolution                        
    2         A resolution recognizing April 24-28, 2017, as “Every
    3         Kid Healthy Week” in Florida.
    4  
    5         WHEREAS, more than 20 percent of Florida’s population, or
    6  4.1 million residents, is under 18 years of age, and
    7         WHEREAS, the incidence of individuals who are overweight or
    8  obese is on the rise, with more than 30 percent of Florida
    9  children considered overweight or obese, and childhood obesity
   10  has become a major health epidemic in this state, and
   11         WHEREAS, being overweight as a child can lead to serious
   12  health problems, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, asthma,
   13  sleep problems, low self-esteem, and being bullied, and these
   14  health and wellness concerns lead to higher health care costs
   15  that negatively impact Florida taxpayers, and
   16         WHEREAS, nationally, 86 percent of health care expenditures
   17  go toward the diagnosis and treatment of chronic diseases, many
   18  of which have been linked to obesity and physical inactivity,
   19  and Florida has among the highest health care costs, ranking
   20  18th out of the 50 states and the District of Columbia in health
   21  care spending per capita, and
   22         WHEREAS, regular physical activity can produce long-term
   23  health benefits and, nationally, the number of health club
   24  members who are under 18 years of age has increased to 60
   25  percent, but only 25 percent of Florida’s youth meet recommended
   26  levels of aerobic and muscle-strengthening physical activity,
   27  and
   28         WHEREAS, in response to the health challenges facing
   29  Florida’s adolescents, many health clubs in this state have
   30  created programs directed at children and adolescents and have
   31  also developed programs that encourage families to exercise
   32  together so they live healthier lives, and
   33         WHEREAS, parents are a positive influence in helping their
   34  children eat healthier food and become more physically active,
   35  and
   36         WHEREAS, promoting healthy behavior promotes a healthy
   37  population, reduces health care costs, and provides a healthier
   38  and more productive workforce, and
   39         WHEREAS, Florida’s future relies on the health and well
   40  being of its youth, NOW, THEREFORE,
   41  
   42  Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida:
   43  
   44         That in recognition of the need to support initiatives that
   45  encourage physical activity and the adoption of healthy
   46  lifestyles, and acknowledging the need to improve the quality of
   47  life of many young Floridians and to prevent an increased burden
   48  on taxpayers stemming from the epidemic of childhood obesity,
   49  April 24-28, 2017, is recognized as “Every Kid Healthy Week” in
   50  Florida.