Declare Every Kid Healthy Week

Assembly Resolution No. 297 BY: M. of A. Thiele MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim April 24-28, 2017, as Every Kid Healthy Week in the State of New York WHEREAS, New York's future relies upon its youth; and WHEREAS, More than 22% of New York's population, or 4.3 million residents, are under 18 years of age; and WHEREAS, Over 14.5% of New York's children are considered obese; and WHEREAS, The prevalence of children in New York considered overweight or obese has increased since 2003; and WHEREAS, Being overweight as a child increases the risk of being obese as a young adult; and WHEREAS, Childhood obesity is a major health epidemic facing this State, and these health concerns lead to higher health care costs that negatively impact New York's taxpayers; and WHEREAS, Being overweight as a child can lead to serious health problems, such as heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, asthma, sleep problems, low self-esteem and being bullied; and WHEREAS, Regular physical activity can produce long-term health benefits; and WHEREAS, The number of health club members who are under 18 years of age has increased 39% in New York, and 60% nationally; and WHEREAS, According to the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans report issued by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, children and adolescents benefit from 60 minutes or more of physical activity daily through a combination of aerobic, muscle strengthening, and bone strengthening activities; and WHEREAS, Health benefits for children and adolescents associated with regular physical activity include improved cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness, improved bone health, favorable body composition, reduced symptoms of depression and improved academic performance; and WHEREAS, Obesity and physical inactivity are directly linked to increasing public and private health care costs; and WHEREAS, Nationally, 75% of health care expenditures go toward the diagnosing and treatment of chronic diseases, many of which have been linked to obesity and physical inactivity; and WHEREAS, New York State has some of the highest health care costs, ranking 7th out of 51 in health care spending per capita; and WHEREAS, Only 23% of New York's youth meet recommended levels of aerobic and muscle strengthening physical activity; and WHEREAS, In response to the health challenges facing New York's adolescents, many health clubs in this State have created programs targeting children and adolescents and have also developed specific programs for families to exercise and live healthier lives together; and WHEREAS, Parents are a positive influence in helping their children eat healthier food and become more physically active; and WHEREAS, Promoting healthy behavior promotes a healthy population in general, reduces health care costs and provides a healthier and more productive work force; and WHEREAS, In order to improve the quality of life for many New Yorkers and to prevent an increased burden on its taxpayers, the State needs to develop a coordinated approach to addressing the problem of childhood obesity; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to promote the coordination of activities to support physical activity, and to encourage all New Yorkers to adopt a healthy lifestyle; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim April 24-28, 2017, as Every Kid Healthy Week in the State of New York; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New York.