Protect Our Kids' Health - Fight the American Childhood Obesity Crisis

In the last 20 years, obesity rates have doubled in children and tripled in adolescents in the U.S. More than 9 million American children are either obese or overweight and at risk of developing serious chronic diseases like Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke and certain cancers.

With the start of a new school year, it's time to get serious about the obesity epidemic in American children. Let's get the junk food out of schools and insist that all kids have a chance to participate in physical activity during the school day.

Limited federal programs and attempts at "quick fixes" to the growing obesity epidemic aren't working. Federal funding for chronic disease programs, including those related to obesity is only about $3 per American per year – less than most fast food meals. But combating America's immense fast food culture will take much more investment than this.

The government needs to fully fund sound, long-term policies that will produce significant, sustainable reductions in obesity rates.

Sign this petition to call on President Bush to take action NOW to tackle the growing obesity crisis in America.

Dear President Bush,

As an individual concerned about the nation's health, I find it alarming that more than nine million children are either obese or overweight, with the childhood obesity rate more than tripling from 1980 to 2004, from 5 percent to 17 percent. Being overweight or obese increases an individual's risk for developing 35 major diseases, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some forms of cancer. And the direct and indirect costs of obesity amount to more than $117 billion a year.

As our children return to the classroom, it is time for the government to get serious about the obesity crisis in America.

[your comment here]

Limited federal programs and attempts at "quick fixes" to the growing obesity epidemic aren't working. Individual efforts to lead healthier lives must be supported by families, communities, schools, employers, and the government. As a start, we need to get junk food out of our schools and increase physical activity during the school day for all students.

The government needs to fully fund sound, long-term policies that will produce significant, sustainable reductions in obesity rates. Federal funding on chronic disease programs, including those related obesity is only about $3 per American per year – less than most fast food meals. That's not acceptable and not fair to our kids.

Mr. President, it is time to step up to the plate and address the obesity crisis that threatens to make our children the first generation of Americans to live less healthy and shorter lives than their parents.

I hope I can count on your support.

Sincerely,

[your name]
[your address]
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