Washington, DC - iThe statistics are staggering. Over eight million children and teenagers in the United States are overweight.  According to research obesity, this places them at immediate and increased risk for Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, orthopedic and psychological problems.  In a House Committee on Government Reform hearing on this issue, physical fitness advocates, dieticians, researchers and members of Congress grappled with what role the federal government could play in combating the obesity epidemic.  Congressman Ed Towns (D-Brooklyn), a senior member of the Committee, raised the economic realities faced by many urban families, saying the strive to provide the public with affordable healthy choices. 

"We need to address the economic circumstances affecting food choice," Towns said.  "Disadvantaged, inner-city families are surrounded by fast-food restaurants and stores carrying snack foods with little nutritional value.  If they have access to a car or public transportation and are able to travel to a grocery store, they will likely not be able to afford the types of nutritional foods...."
"Junk foods are affordable, filling, and they taste good.  Healthy foods are expensive and inconvenient," he continued.  "Thus, in order to survive, lower-income families have little choice but eat the most economically feasible option."

As the baby-boomers reach retirement age, obesity and chronic diseases will surpass smoking as the number one preventable cause of death.   In fact, yet a third of all adults will suffer adverse health consequences due to obesity.  Statistics show that healthcare costs related to obesity are soaring.  In 1998, $78.5 billion or 9.1% of all heath costs were attributed to overweight and obesity related illnesses. Over half of that was paid by Medicare and Medicaid.

Towns said that the government must educate all Americans on the value of a proper nutrition.  At the hearing, he noted that too many parents are feeding babies foods high in fat and sugar content such as soft rinks, bacon, and french fries. 

"Young Americans need to be able to exercise and play in safe parks and neighborhoods," Towns said. "They need to have access to regular physical education and schools that not only teach them the three “R’s,” but teach them nutrition and healthy choices. 

"If we don't act now, our children and grandchildren are going to continue to eat poorly, exercise less, and suffer adverse health consequences resulting in premature death and reduced quality of life," he continued.  Americans are suffering from a multitude of preventable illnesses that are a direct result of bad eating habits and a sedentary lifestyle including diabetes, heart disease, asthma, stroke, gall bladder disease, and certain types of cancer are associated with obesity."

As part of a comprehensive effort to address the obesity crisis, Towns has sponsored H.R. 2024, The Medicaid Obesity Treatment Act, to require Medicaid to provide drug coverage for prescribed treatments of obesity and has been working with local officials to try to secure a physical educational program for one of Brooklyn's community parks. 

###