News from the
Committee on Education and the Workforce
John Boehner, Chairman

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 12, 2004

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Physical activity is essential for reducing childhood obesity and promoting healthy lifestyles said witnesses appearing today before a hearing held by the U.S. House Subcommittee on Education Reform. The hearing, chaired by Rep. Mike Castle (R-DE), explored the role of physical activity and education for parents, communities and schools working to improve the health of the nation's youth.

"The battle against childhood obesity is a major issue that this Committee will address in the context of the child nutrition reauthorization. As we all know, childhood obesity has become a major health problem in the United States, and studies suggest that overweight children are significantly more likely to become overweight or obese adults. This is a matter of great concern to us as a Committee, and to society in general," said Castle.

"Parents bear primary responsibility for ensuring that their children eat well and exercise regularly," continued Castle. "However, schools can and should play a positive role by giving children access to nutritious meals and snacks, nutrition education, and time to engage in daily physical activity."

Witnesses examined statistics showing an increase in childhood obesity and explored how physical activity -- or a lack thereof -- can impact this trend. "We have all heard the statistics about the health crisis facing our nation's youth. Probably one of the most widely used and significant is the Center for Disease Control's (CDC) report that the percentage of children ages 6 to 11 who are overweight has increased nearly 300 percent during the past 25 years," said Tim McCord, chair of physical education for the Titusville Area School District in Titusville, Pennsylvania.

"Providing daily quality physical education to all K-12 students must be an integral part of a national strategy to address obesity and reduce health care costs," continued McCord. "Perhaps most appealing is the ease with which physical education can be delivered to all students in an efficient, cost effective manner. Physical education in schools provides an ideal mechanism to promote healthy choices and habits for some of the most in need."

Dr. Judith Young, vice president of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, explained the role physical activity plays in healthy lifestyles, particularly for young people.

"We believe that providing a physically active lifestyle from the beginning of life increases the likelihood that children will learn to move skillfully and establish positive feelings about physical activity," said Young. "Early motor skills form the foundation for later safe and satisfying performance in work, sport, dance and exercise. A growing body of research also confirms that the physical activity of infants and young children is an important component of early brain development and learning."

The witnesses also agreed that comprehensive efforts are needed to encourage healthy choices for children. Dr. Kenneth Cooper, President and CEO of the Cooper Aerobics Center/Cooper Clinic, described the roles education, healthy food choices, and physical activity must play in efforts to improve childhood health.

"When it comes to our children, I don't believe we can simply talk about policies that will help them lose weight. We must seek policies that encourage wellness. So let's enact policies that will keep children fit and active, and teach them the importance of a nutritionally-balanced diet," said Cooper. "We can empower individuals through education and awareness. We need to improve the public's understanding of the consequences of too little exercise, too many calories, and unbalanced diets."

"Congress must embrace proposals that are positive, comprehensive, and address obesity as an issue rooted in improper energy balance, not simply one driven by food. After all, this discussion is not simply about weight gain, it's about health," Cooper concluded.

Promoting healthful choices for children must be a comprehensive effort focused not just on food but on an overall healthy lifestyle, committee members noted. Parents, communities, and schools each have a role to play in reducing childhood obesity and other health risks by encouraging children to make healthy choices in both the food they eat and the activities they participate in, the hearing participants agreed.

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