Senate Resolution No. 191
BY: Senator PERSAUD
MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
April 24-28, 2023, as Every Kid Healthy Week in the
State of New York
WHEREAS, The citizens of the State of New York are committed to
ensuring the safety and well-being of our most precious resource, our
children, and to protecting them, in every facet of their daily lives;
and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to memorialize
Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim April 24-28, 2023, as Every Kid
Healthy Week in the State of New York, in conjunction with the
observance of National Every Kid Health Week; and
WHEREAS, New York's future relies upon its youth; 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, Action For Healthy Kids (AFHK) is a nationwide grassroots
network mobilizing school professionals, families and communities to
take actions that lead to improvements in school-based foods, nutrition
education, physical activity and education, all of which have been shown
to improve student health, learning and academic performance; and
WHEREAS, Launched by AFHK in 2013, Every Kid Healthy Week is an
annual observance designed to celebrate school wellness achievements,
and shine a spotlight on the epidemic of childhood obesity and the
connection between healthy eating, physical activity and academic
success; 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, Everyone in the country can get involved in Every Kid
Healthy Week and be a part of the solution by supporting sound
nutrition, regular physical activity and health-promoting programs at
their schools; 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 Kathy Hochul to proclaim April 24-28, 2023, 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 Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New
York.
