WASHINGTON - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, Senator Jeff Bingaman and Senator Christopher Dodd applauded Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee unanimous approval this week of comprehensive legislation aimed at reducing obesity, particularly among children and adolescents.

The “Improved Nutrition and Physical Activity Act,” or “IMPACT Act,” is an update on a bill originally introduced in the 107th Congress. It recognizes significant problems associated with obesity including heart disease, diabetes and cancer and works to reduce those problems by encouraging better nutrition and more physical activity.

“The increasing prevalence of overweight and obese Americans is putting a tremendous strain on our health care resources and jeopardizing the quality of health for millions of individuals,” said Frist. “America’s youth are particularly at risk, with new data showing that levels of inactivity continue to grow within younger age groups. This legislation provides practical means to promote research and demonstration projects to begin reversing this epidemic. Most importantly, encouraging healthy habits in children will help foster a healthier adult population in years to come.”

“Obesity is growing public health concern that is putting a tremendous strain on our nation's health care system. The time has come for us to shine a spotlight on this major problem, and to take steps that will help Americans - especially young people - understand the importance of eating well and keeping fit,” Bingaman said.

“As American waistlines’ grow, so too does the risk of diabetes, heart disease and cancer. That’s simply unacceptable,” said Dodd, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Children and Families. “This measure can hopefully help reduce the growing epidemic of obesity and make our children and nation healthier.”

Over 60 percent of U.S. adults and 13 percent of children are estimated to be overweight, and an estimated 300,000 deaths per year are associated with being overweight or obese. The prevalence of obesity is increasing among all age groups. There are twice the number of overweight children and three times the number of overweight adolescents as there were 30 years ago.

Being overweight or obese brings with it an increased risk for heart disease and cancer -- the leading and second leading causes of death, respectively. Being overweight or obese also brings with it an increased risk for diabetes and musculo-skeletal disorders, such as osteoarthritis.

This legislation would:

· Add obesity, being overweight, and eating disorders to the list of priority conditions to be addressed by health professions Title VII training grants and train practicing health professionals about proper methods to diagnose, treat and prevent obesity, and eating disorders.

· Authorize $60 million in fiscal year 2004 to create a demonstration program that funds community organizations to conduct a variety of activities, which have demonstrated some benefit for curbing obesity and eating disorders, with $5 million being allocated to eating disorder activities during that period. These programs focus on providing specific community interventions, school-based activities, and health care delivery system programs, while focusing on education, outreach, and intervention techniques.

· Provide additional authority for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to collect information regarding fitness levels and energy expenditure among children.

· Authorize a study by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) to examine the Department of Agriculture’s food supplement programs (i.e., WIC, School Lunch Program, Food Commodity Program) to determine whether they contribute to preventing or enhancing obesity among low-income populations.

· Direct the Agency for Healthcare Research Quality and Quality in the Department of Health and Human Services to review any new information relating to obesity trends among various sub-populations and include such information, where it is relevant, in its health disparities report.

· Allow States to use their Preventive Services Block Grant money for community education on improved nutrition and increased physical activity. State block grants can be use for a variety of purposes, and this section only adds obesity to the list of alternatives. States still decide how to use their block grants.

· Instruct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to report on what research has been conducted on obesity treatment and prevention, what has been learned from this research, and what future research should be conducted. Given that obesity research is conducted in several agencies and institutes, this study will assist in collating the results of this research and coordinating departmental research in the future.

· Ask the Secretary of Health and Human Services to report on its effectiveness in changing children’s behaviors and reducing obesity, given the widespread use of the Youth Media Campaign.

All three senators are members of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.

Representatives Mary Bono and Kay Granger introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives earlier this year.