Tom Harkin: “From time to time, Congress is confronted with a public health crisis of such magnitude that we have no choice but to…”

“From time to time, Congress is confronted with a public health crisis of such magnitude that we have no choice but to act. For a number of reasons, including the changing physical environment, eating and physical activity habits, obesity has now emerged as a serious new public health threat. More than 65 percent of American adults and 15 percent of children are obese or overweight. These figures double the levels during the 1980s for adults and triple the levels for children. Obesity now contributes to an estimated 300,000 deaths annually. We also know that obesity contributes to diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, cancers and heart disease. The economic impact also is alarming. The Surgeon General reports that obesity costs the Nation over $117 billion directly and indirectly. These trends will continue if we do not develop a comprehensive strategy to prevent and treat this condition. I commend Senator Frist and others for introducing the Improved Nutrition and Physical Activity Act to begin to tackle this challenge.”