109th Congress

Childhood Obesity

S. 799

Background

Over the past three decades, the rate of obesity has more than doubled among preschool children and adolescents and tripled among all school-age children. If the current rates do not decrease, 30 percent of boys and 40 percent of girls born in 2000 will develop diabetes, which can lead to kidney failure, blindness, heart disease, and stroke.

On April 14, 2005, Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA) introduced S. 799, the Prevention of Childhood Obesity Act. Upon introducing the bill, Senator Kennedy stated, "Prevention is the cornerstone of good health and long, productive lives for all Americans. Childhood obesity is preventable, but we have to work together to stop this worsening epidemic and protect our children’s future."

Provisions of the Legislation/Impact on NIH

The primary focus of S. 799 was on programs rather than research. The bill, however, would have required the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), in accordance with NIH’s Strategic Plan for Obesity Research, to expand and intensify research that addresses the prevention of childhood obesity. S. 799 would have required the Director of NIH to:

• Conduct or support research programs and research training concerning the prevention of childhood obesity
• Develop and periodically review and revise as appropriate the Strategic Plan for Obesity Research

Status and Outlook

S. 799 was introduced by Senator Kennedy on April 14, 2005, and was referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. No further action occurred on this legislation during the 109th Congress.