Assembly Resolution No. 1024

BY: M. of A. Thiele

MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
April 23-27, 2018, as Every Kid Healthy Week in the
State of New York

WHEREAS, New York's future relies upon its youth; and

WHEREAS, More than 22% of New York's population, or 4.3 million
residents, are under 18 years of age; and

WHEREAS, Over 14.5% of New York's children are considered obese; and

WHEREAS, Action for Healthy Kids (AFHK) is a nationwide grassroots
network mobilizing school professionals, families and communities to
take actions that lead to improvements in school-based foods, nutrition
education, physical activity and education, all of which have been shown
to improve student health, learning and academic performance; and

WHEREAS, Launched by AFHK in 2013, Every Kid Healthy Week is an
annual observance designed to celebrate school wellness achievements,
and shine a spotlight on the epidemic of childhood obesity and the
connection between healthy eating, physical activity and academic
success; and

WHEREAS, The prevalence of children in New York considered
overweight or obese has increased since 2003; and

WHEREAS, Being overweight as a child increases the risk of being
obese as a young adult; and

WHEREAS, Childhood obesity is a major health epidemic facing this
State, and these health concerns lead to higher health care costs that
negatively impact New York's taxpayers; and

WHEREAS, Being overweight as a child can lead to serious health
problems, such as heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, asthma, sleep
problems, low self-esteem and being bullied; and

WHEREAS, Regular physical activity can produce long-term health
benefits; and

WHEREAS, The number of health club members who are under 18 years of
age has increased 39% in New York, and 60% nationally; and

WHEREAS, According to the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans
report issued by the United States Department of Health and Human
Services, children and adolescents benefit from 60 minutes or more of
physical activity daily through a combination of aerobic, muscle
strengthening, and bone strengthening activities; and

WHEREAS, Health benefits for children and adolescents associated
with regular physical activity include improved cardiorespiratory and
muscular fitness, improved bone health, favorable body composition,
reduced symptoms of depression and improved academic performance; and


WHEREAS, Obesity and physical inactivity are directly linked to
increasing public and private health care costs; and

WHEREAS, Nationally, 75% of health care expenditures go toward the
diagnosing and treatment of chronic diseases, many of which have been
linked to obesity and physical inactivity; and

WHEREAS, New York State has some of the highest health care costs,
ranking 7th out of 51 in health care spending per capita; and

WHEREAS, Only 23% of New York's youth meet recommended levels of
aerobic and muscle strengthening physical activity; and

WHEREAS, In response to the health challenges facing New York's
adolescents, many health clubs in this State have created programs
targeting children and adolescents and have also developed specific
programs for families to exercise and live healthier lives together; and

WHEREAS, Parents are a positive influence in helping their children
eat healthier food and become more physically active; and

WHEREAS, Promoting healthy behavior promotes a healthy population in
general, reduces health care costs and provides a healthier and more
productive work force; and

WHEREAS, In order to improve the quality of life for many New
Yorkers and to prevent an increased burden on its taxpayers, the State
needs to develop a coordinated approach to addressing the problem of
childhood obesity; and

WHEREAS, Everyone in the country can get involved in Every Kid
Healthy Week and be a part of the solution by supporting sound
nutrition, regular physical activity and health-promoting programs at
their schools; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to promote the
coordination of activities to support physical activity, and to
encourage all New Yorkers to adopt a healthy lifestyle; now, therefore,
be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim April 23-27, 2018, as
Every Kid Healthy Week in the State of New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of
New York.