"Improved Nutrition and Physical Activity Act" (IMPACT Act) -

December 9th, 2003 - WASHINGTON -
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN), Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) and Senator Christopher Dodd (D-CT) today applauded Senate passage of comprehensive legislation aimed at reducing obesity, particularly among children and adolescents. The bill was introduced by the Senators in June of this year.

The "Improved Nutrition and Physical Activity Act," or "IMPACT Act," 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.

"Today the Senate has taken a key step to address one of the nation's fastest growing health care epidemics," said Frist. "Obesity is for the most part preventable, yet in the last 30 years we've continued to see increasing rates of obesity among children and adults. This legislation takes a balanced, comprehensive and innovative approach to increase public awareness about how nutrition, physical fitness and a healthy lifestyle can lower the risks associated with obesity and improve the overall health of our nation."

"The federal government spends billions of dollars each year treating serious health-related problems associated with obesity and being overweight. Because obesity rates are on the rise in our country, the federal investment in obesity-related health care will continue to increase dramatically if we don't take action," said Bingaman said. "This legislation will allow communities to implement effective plans aimed at helping Americans eat right and become active."

"We are concerned about the health of our children," said Dodd. "The number of obese children and adults has skyrocketed in recent decades despite the fact that we have learned so much about the importance of physical activity and nutrition. This legislation is a step to provide parents and others with the tools they need to protect and foster both their own health and the health of their children. I am grateful to my colleagues in the Senate for recognizing the critical importance of this initiative."

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.
Direct the Agency for Healthcare Research 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.

Representatives Mary Bono (R-CA) and Kay Granger (R-TX) introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives earlier this year. The bill still awaits House debate.