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Washington, DC -- In a joint subcommittee meeting this morning, members of the Natural Resources Committee examined the disturbing trend of America’s children spending more time inside watching television or playing video games than playing outdoors. The committee heard expert testimony regarding the causes of this trend and its potential impacts on the health and well-being of children.
Congressman John P. Sarbanes (MD-03), who serves on both the Education and Labor and Natural Resources Committees, discussed the need to develop healthy outdoor activities and improve environmental literacy through education policy. “I’m very interested in using environmental education as a way to build a stronger appreciation for the natural world among our children. In doing so, we promote not only physical health but also lifestyles that foster a healthy environment. I’m trying to bring that perspective to the table as we look at the reauthorization of No Child Left Behind…”
The committee heard from expert witnesses in government, children’s health, conservation, and outdoor sports and recreation who testified that in the last 30 years, the rates of overweight and obese children have tripled among preschoolers and quadrupled among school-aged kids. The witnesses also said that young children spend more time watching TV, playing video games, or in front of computers, than doing any other activity, other than sleep.
“Maryland is home to over 20 national parks and well over 100 state park areas, not to mention the Chesapeake Bay, a national treasure,” Sarbanes pointed out. “Children benefit when they are outdoors in so many ways but collectively we all benefit because it raises their consciousness and they are going to be the next generation stewards of our environment and the outdoors.”
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