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Regular Session, 2010
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 107
BY REPRESENTATIVE WILLIAMS
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON
To urge and request each member of the Legislature of Louisiana to host an Obesity
Awareness Walk within the member's district and to designate April 13, 2010, as
"Obesity Awareness Day".
WHEREAS, obesity costs the nation seventy-five billion dollars in direct costs each
year, while the total cost of obesity, including indirect costs, are as high as one hundred
thirty-nine billion dollars per year; and
WHEREAS, Louisiana is ranked eighth highest in the country in obesity and ranked
as one of the top ten states in total medical expenditures related to obesity; and
WHEREAS, sixty-four percent of Louisiana adults are obese or overweight, and
obese adults have thirty-six percent higher average annual medical expenditures than adults
at normal weight; and
WHEREAS, almost thirty-six percent of Louisiana children ages ten to seventeen are
considered overweight or obese, and the cost of child obesity-associated illnesses increased
from thirty-five million dollars to one hundred twenty-seven million dollars in the past two
decades; and
WHEREAS, obesity and obesity-related diseases such as diabetes and hypertension
continue to remain the highest in southern states; and
WHEREAS, Louisiana ranks sixth highest in the country for Type 2 Diabetes while
more than eighty percent of people with Type 2 Diabetes are overweight; and
WHEREAS, obesity and overweight are associated with increased risk of costly
chronic co-morbid conditions, including diabetes, cancer, heart disease, stroke, hypertension,
high cholesterol, gall bladder problems, sleep apnea, osteoarthritis, and female infertility;
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WHEREAS, childhood obesity continues to be a problem in Louisiana and Louisiana
State Representative Patrick Williams works to bring awareness to these problems by having
an annual "Walk the Walk" to encourage people to make healthier choices for Louisiana's
children; and
WHEREAS, Obesity Awareness Day challenges each member of the Legislature of
Louisiana to host an Obesity Awareness Walk in the member's district to build awareness
of the health and cost impact of obesity within their district; and
WHEREAS, an Obesity Awareness Day will allow participants to provide education
on the public health risks of obesity, and to recognize that obesity is a statewide public
health problem which may be impacted by public health initiatives such as health and
physical education as well as to recognize evidence-based treatment options for obesity,
including preventative care, diet and exercise, and surgery including long-term follow-up
care; and
WHEREAS, the Louisiana Business Group on Health is interested in educating
employers of Louisiana on obesity and its impact on businesses in Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, the total cost to private employers is estimated at forty-five billion
dollars per year as a result of medical expenses and excessive absenteeism; and
WHEREAS, the total lost days on productivity and absentee days associated annually
with obesity include:
(1) Thirty-nine million lost work days.
(2) Two hundred thirty-nine million restricted-activity days.
(3) Sixty-three million physician visits.
(4) Eighty-nine million bed days.
WHEREAS, the Louisiana Business Group on Health aims to champion employer-
sponsored health and wellness initiatives by bringing together employers, health plans,
providers, and public policy makers; and
WHEREAS, Johnson & Johnson, Ethicon Endo-Surgery Inc., Louisiana Business
Group on Health, American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, Pennington Bio-
Medical Research, Obesity Action Coalition, Louisiana Obesity Council, Louisiana Dietetic
Association, Animas, and LifeScan of Louisiana have partnered to have a display in the ENROLLEDHCR NO. 107
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rotunda of the Louisiana State Capitol to display and discuss the impact of obesity in
Louisiana on April 13, 2010; and
WHEREAS, the Louisiana Legislative Women's Caucus and Louisiana Legislative
Black Caucus have partnered to bring attention to the state on the impact of obesity in
Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, the Legislature of Louisiana will have an opportunity to learn the
economics of obesity and solutions made available by participants to help fight the disease
on April 13, 2010; and
WHEREAS, all members of the Legislature of Louisiana and interested parties are
encouraged to attend this event and recognize this important issue.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
urge and request each member of the Legislature of Louisiana to host an Obesity Awareness
Walk within the member's district to recognize the importance of this issue.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana recognizes that
obesity issues must be addressed and hereby designates April 13, 2010, as "Obesity
Awareness Day".
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATI VES
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE