What to do - 3 of 5 - Contact Congress About Obesity Awareness Month

The resolutions to designate September as National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month are currently in House and Senate Committees. Here are the details and links to bills on THOMAS:

House Resolution 996

• Title: Expressing support for designation of September as National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month.
• Sponsor: Rep. Marcia Fudge (Ohio-11)
• Latest Major Action: 12/19/2009 Referred to House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Senate Resolution 412

• Title: A resolution designating September 2010 as "National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month".
• Sponsor: Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (NY)
• Latest Major Action: 2/9/2010 Referred to Senate Committee on the Judiciary.

To learn more about each resolution, go to THOMAS and search on the bill number.

What to do:

Contact your Senator and Representative – and/or the sponsors – to express your opinion about the resolution.

• Send the same comments that you made to the Federal Task Force – about the dangers and unintended consequences of focusing even greater attention on childhood obesity. (Need to find their contact information? Search for their website and use online feedback form.)

• Explain that there are already PLENTY of observances for September (www.healthfinder.gov/nho/nho.asp#m9) and many of them could be used to promote healthy habits for all kids, including Fruits and Veggies-More Matters Month, Whole Grains Month, and my personal favorite Yoga Awareness Month.