HLS 10RS-2395 ORIGINAL
Page 1 of 3
Regular Session, 2010
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 107
BY REPRESENTATIVE WILLIAMS
SPECIAL DAY/WEEK/MONTH: Requests members of the legislature to host an Obesity
Awareness Walk within their respective districts and designates April 13, 2010, as
"Obesity Awareness Day"
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON1
To urge and request each member of the Legislature of Louisiana to host an Obesity2
Awareness Walk within the member's district and to designate April 13, 2010, as3
"Obesity Awareness Day".4
WHEREAS, obesity costs the nation seventy-five billion dollars in direct costs each5
year, while the total cost of obesity, including indirect costs, are as high as one hundred6
thirty-nine billion dollars per year; and 7
WHEREAS, Louisiana is ranked eighth highest in the country in obesity and ranked8
as one of the top ten states in total medical expenditures related to obesity; and 9
WHEREAS, sixty-four percent of Louisiana adults are obese or overweight, and10
obese adults have thirty-six percent higher average annual medical expenditures than adults11
at normal weight; and 12
WHEREAS, almost thirty-six percent of Louisiana children ages ten to seventeen are13
considered overweight or obese, and the cost of child obesity-associated illnesses increased14
from thirty-five million dollars to one hundred twenty-seven million dollars in the past two15
decades; and 16
WHEREAS, obesity and obesity-related diseases such as diabetes and hypertension17
continue to remain the highest in southern states; and 18
WHEREAS, Louisiana ranks sixth highest in the country for Type 2 Diabetes while19
more than eighty percent of people with Type 2 Diabetes are overweight; and 20 HLS 10RS-2395 ORIGINAL
HCR NO. 107
Page 2 of 3
WHEREAS, obesity and overweight are associated with increased risk of costly1
chronic co-morbid conditions, including diabetes, cancer, heart disease, stroke, hypertension,2
high cholesterol, gall bladder problems, sleep apnea, osteoarthritis, and female infertility;3
and4
WHEREAS, childhood obesity continues to be a problem in Louisiana and Louisiana5
State Representative Patrick Williams works to bring awareness to these problems by having6
an annual "Walk the Walk" to encourage people to make healthier choices for Louisiana's7
children; and8
WHEREAS, Obesity Awareness Day challenges each member of the Legislature of9
Louisiana to host an Obesity Awareness Walk in the member's district to build awareness10
of the health and cost impact of obesity within their district; and 11
WHEREAS, an Obesity Awareness Day will allow participants to provide education12
on the public health risks of obesity, and to recognize that obesity is a statewide public13
health problem which may be impacted by public health initiatives such as health and14
physical education as well as to recognize evidence-based treatment options for obesity,15
including preventative care, diet and exercise, and surgery including long-term follow-up16
care; and17
WHEREAS, the Louisiana Business Group on Health is interested in educating18
employers of Louisiana on obesity and its impact on businesses in Louisiana; and 19
WHEREAS, the total cost to private employers is estimated at forty-five billion20
dollars per year as a result of medical expenses and excessive absenteeism; and 21
WHEREAS, the total lost days on productivity and absentee days associated annually22
with obesity include:23
(1) Thirty-nine million lost work days.24
(2) Two hundred thirty-nine million restricted-activity days.25
(3) Sixty-three million physician visits.26
(4) Eighty-nine million bed days.27
WHEREAS, the Louisiana Business Group on Health aims to champion employer-28
sponsored health and wellness initiatives by bringing together employers, health plans,29
providers, and public policy makers; and30 HLS 10RS-2395 ORIGINAL
HCR NO. 107
Page 3 of 3
WHEREAS, Johnson & Johnson, Ethicon Endo-Surgery Inc., Louisiana Business1
Group on Health, American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, Pennington Bio-2
Medical Research, Obesity Action Coalition, Louisiana Obesity Council, Louisiana Dietetic3
Association, Animas, and LifeScan of Louisiana have partnered to have a display in the4
rotunda of the Louisiana State Capitol to display and discuss the impact of obesity in5
Louisiana on April 13, 2010; and6
WHEREAS, the Louisiana Legislative Women's Caucus and Louisiana Legislative7
Black Caucus have partnered to bring attention to the state on the impact of obesity in8
Louisiana; and 9
WHEREAS, the Legislature of Louisiana will have an opportunity to learn the10
economics of obesity and solutions made available by participants to help fight the disease11
on April 13, 2010; and12
WHEREAS, all members of the Legislature of Louisiana and interested parties are13
encouraged to attend this event and recognize this important issue.14
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby15
urge and request each member of the Legislature of Louisiana to host an Obesity Awareness16
Walk within the member's district to recognize the importance of this issue.17
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana recognizes that18
obesity issues must be addressed and hereby designates April 13, 2010, as "Obesity19
Awareness Day".20
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Williams HCR No. 107
Requests each member of the legislature to host an Obesity Awareness Walk within the
member's district to recognize the importance of this issue.
Further requests that the legislature recognizes that obesity issues must be addressed and
designates April 13, 2010, as "Obesity Awareness Day".