News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, Sept. 30, 2004 |
HHS Press Office
(202) 690-6343 |
Statement by Tommy G. Thompson
Secretary of Health and Human Services
Regarding Institute of Medicine Report on Childhood Obesity
The Institute of Medicine (IOM) report on childhood obesity is further affirmation that President Bush's programs and initiatives are on the right track in our fight to reduce the number of overweight children in America.
The report makes clear that the fight against obesity begins at home. That is why we must continue to bring together industry, schools and the government to help parents create an environment that allows their families to make healthy eating and exercise choices. We at HHS are determined to do our part.
Just this week, HHS awarded $35.7 million in grants to help communities around the country to help children and all Americans live longer, healthier lives. These grants focus on reducing the burden of diabetes, overweight, obesity and asthma and addressing risk factors such as physical inactivity, poor nutrition and tobacco use.
These grants build on President Bush's strong record of promoting healthy living among American children. In 2002, we launched the VERB multi-media campaign, which encourages, motivates and inspires children to be more active -- and to have fun while doing it.
This spring, we launched a new program to support good health and physical activity for the 6 million American children and youth who have disabilities. The "I Can Do It, You Can Do It" campaign brings together physically fit mentors with young people with disabilities to help increase physical activity and good nutritional habits as an important part of their lives.
At HHS, our fight against obesity extends throughout the department. In addition to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's VERB and other campaigns, President Bush is requesting more than $440 million for obesity related research for fiscal year 2005 -- a 10 percent increase over this year.
And at HHS' Food and Drug Administration (FDA), we are working to make it easier for consumers to understand the simple message that calories in must equal calories out. You cannot lose weight if you eat more calories than you burn. The FDA is examining how to revise food labels to ensure that parents clearly understand how many calories they and their children are consuming. Accurate, helpful information will allow them to make wise food choices at home, at supermarkets and in restaurants.
We welcome the IOM as a partner in fighting the incidence of over weight children and look forward to engaging every sector of society so we can help Americans live longer, healthier lives.
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Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other press materials are available at http://www.hhs.gov/news.
Last Revised: September 30, 2004
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