12-R299
2012 -- H 8196
Enacted 05/23/12
H O U S E R E S
O L U T I O N
PROCLAIMING MAY
23, 2012, AS "SHAPE UP RHODE
STATE OF
Introduced By: Representatives Fox, Mattiello, Newberry, Bennett, and McNamara
Date Introduced: May 23, 2012
WHEREAS,
Obesity in the
one-third of adults living in the
disease, stroke, type two diabetes, and certain types of
cancer are some of the leading causes of
death; and
WHEREAS, According to the Centers for Disease Control, in 2008
medical costs
associated with obesity were estimated at $147 billion, and the
medical costs paid by third-party
payors for people who are obese was $1,429 higher than those
for individuals of normal weight;
and
WHEREAS,
Obesity also significantly affects children. Approximately 17 percent of
children and adolescents are obese. Since 1980, obesity
prevalence among children and
adolescents has almost tripled; and
WHEREAS, States can and
must take a proactive role in increasing wellness and
decreasing obesity. States can directly fund those programs that
encourage activity and healthy
lifestyles. They can draw public attention to the ramifications
of unhealthy practices. States can
organize broad, powerful, and sustained efforts to focus on
prevention, adopt proven strategies,
and reverse the obesity epidemic; and
WHEREAS, Since 2005, Shape Up Rhode Island has used teamwork, social
networking,
and healthy competition to make significant, positive
changes and health advances in the lives of
70,000 Rhode Islanders; and
WHEREAS, Shape Up Rhode Island’s chairman, Rajiv
Kumar, MD, has dedicated
himself to addressing the obesity epidemic in
WHEREAS, Shape Up Rhode Island has educated individuals in all thirty-nine
towns and
cities about the importance of developing healthier eating
practices and increasing physical
activity; and
WHEREAS, Shape Up Rhode Island has been a nationally-recognized, award
winning
statewide wellness competition; and
WHEREAS, Shape Up Rhode Island’s evidence-based program has been validated
by
studies published in peer reviewed journals; and
WHEREAS, Shape Up Rhode Island has encouraged thousands of Rhode Islanders
through collaboration with employers, educational
institutions, community leaders, non-profit
organizations, and the Rhode Island Department of Health; now,
therefore be it
RESOLVED,
That this House of Representatives of the State of
Providence Plantations
hereby proclaims May 23, 2012, as “Shape Up Rhode
Island Day.” This
House urges all the
citizens of the State to take an active role in increasing their wellness and
quality of life; and be it further
RESOLVED,
That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is
authorized and directed to
transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the
chairman of Shape Up Rhode Island, Rajiv
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LC02630
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