HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 61

(By Delegates Compton, Perdue, Angotti, Dempsey, Fahey, Fleischauer, Hatfield, Hubbard, Mahan, Marshall, Stemple, Susman, Carmichael, Romine and L. smith)


(Originating in the Committee on Health and Human Resources)


[February 27,2002]


Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to conduct a study on the effects of the obesity epidemic in West Virginia in regards to its impact on chronic disease risks, morbidity, mortality and its high medical, psychological and social costs to the State.

W HEREAS , The prevalence of obesity has increased sharply among American adults, adolescents and children since its recognition nearly a half century ago as a national health risk; and
W HEREAS , In the Nation, 1,200 people die daily from weight- related illnesses, while health care costs for obesity total an estimated $117 billion annually; and
W HEREAS , Almost one-quarter (23.2%) of adult residents of West Virginia are obese, far ahead of the national average; and
W HEREAS , The U.S. Surgeon General, in his most recent national plan of action for overweight and obesity, called for sweeping changes in schools, restaurants, workplaces and communities to help combat the growing epidemic of Americans who are overweight or obese; and
W HEREAS , Obesity is considered by many public health experts to be one of the nation's most significant health related problems because it is a major risk factor of maladies that include heart disease, stroke, cancer and diabetes; and
W HEREAS ; The deleterious effects of obesity on chronic disease risk, morbidity, and mortality; its multiplicity of causes; its persistence from childhood into adult; the paucity of successful treatment options; the hazards of pharmacologic treatments and the complexities of treatment guidelines, all argue for increased attention to the prevention of excessive weight gain starting as early in life as possible; and
W HEREAS , This societal challenge can be dealt with through a host of recommendations such as, but not limited to; education, food labeling and advertising, food assistance programs, health care and training, transportation and urban development, and policy development; and
W HEREAS , Reversing these current trends will require a multifaceted public health policy approach as well as active participation of health officials, researchers, educators and legislators in formulating a public health and obesity prevention campaign; and
W HEREAS , The Legislature should look at socioeconomic and economic resources such as missed work, hospitalization, medicare and medicaid costs, and State dollars which are lost each year as a direct result of obesity; therefore be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to study the effects of the obesity epidemic in the State of West Virginia and its direct impacts on the economic resources, socioeconomic and psychological prevalence, mortality and chronic disease risks it poses to the State; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2003, on its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this study, to prepare a report and to draft necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.