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Regular Session, 2010
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 37
BY SENATOR BROOME AND REPRESENTATIVE WILLIAMS
LEGIS POWERS/FUNCTIONS. 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 Louisiana Legislature to host an Obesity Awareness2
Walk within the member's district and to designate April 13, 2010, as "Obesity3
Awareness Day."4
Whereas, obesity costs the nation $75 billion in direct costs each year, while the total5
cost of obesity, including indirect costs, as high as one hundred thirty-nine billion dollars per6
year; and 7
Whereas, Louisiana is ranked 8th highest in the country in obesity and ranked as one8
of the top 10 states in total medical expenditures related to obesity; and 9
Whereas, 64% of Louisiana adults are obese or overweight; and obese adults have10
36% higher average annual medical expenditures than adults at normal weight; and 11
Whereas, 35.9% of Louisiana children ages 10-17 are considered overweight or12
obese; and the cost of child obesity-associated illness increased from thirty-five million to13
one hundred twenty-seven million dollars in the past two decades; and 14
Whereas, obesity and obesity-related diseases such as diabetes and hypertension15
continue to remain the highest in southern states; and 16
Whereas, Louisiana ranks sixth highest in the country for Type 2 Diabetes while17
more than 80 % of people with Type 2 Diabetes are overweight; and 18 SCR NO. 37
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Whereas, obesity and overweight are associated with increased risk of costly chronic1
co-morbid conditions; including diabetes, cancer, heart disease, stroke, hypertension, high2
cholesterol, gall bladder problems, sleep apnea, osteoarthritis, and female infertility; and3
Whereas, childhood obesity continues to be a problem in Louisiana and4
Representative Patrick Williams works to bring awareness to these problems by having an5
annual "Walk the Walk" to encourage people to make healthier choices for Louisiana's6
children; and7
Whereas, Obesity Awareness Day challenges each member of the Louisiana8
Legislature to host an Obesity Awareness Walk in the member's district to build awareness9
of the health and cost impact of obesity within their district; and 10
Whereas, an Obesity Awareness Day will allow participants to provide education on11
the public health risks of obesity, and to recognize that obesity is a statewide public health12
problem which may be impacted by public health initiatives such as health and physical13
education as well as recognize evidence-based treatment options for obesity including14
preventative care, diet and exercise, and surgery including long-term follow-up care; and15
Whereas, the Louisiana Business Group on Health is interested in educating16
employers of Louisiana on obesity and its impact on businesses in Louisiana; and 17
Whereas, total cost to private employers is estimated at forty-five billion dollars per18
year as a result of medical expenses and excessive absenteeism; and 19
Whereas, the total lost days on productivity and absentee days associated annually20
with obesity include:21
1. Thirty-nine million lost work days22
2. Two hundred thirty-nine million restricted-activity days23
3. Sixty-three million physician visits24
4. Eighty-nine million bed-days25
Whereas, the Louisiana Business Group on Health aims to champion employer-26
sponsored health and wellness initiatives by bringing together employers, health plans,27
providers, and public policy makers; and28
Whereas, Johnson & Johnson, Ethicon Endo-Surgery Inc., Louisiana Business Group29
on Health, American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, Pennington Bio-Medical30 SCR NO. 37
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Research, Obesity Action Coalition, Louisiana Obesity Council, Louisiana Dietetic1
Association, Animas, and LifeScan of Louisiana have partnered to have a display in the2
rotunda to display and discuss the impact of obesity in Louisiana on April 13, 2010; and3
Whereas, the Louisiana Legislative Women's Caucus and Louisiana Legislative4
Black Caucus have partnered to bring attention to the state on the impact of obesity in5
Louisiana; and 6
Whereas, the Louisiana Legislature will have an opportunity to learn the economics7
of obesity and solutions made available by participants to help fight the disease on April 13,8
2010; and9
Whereas, all members of the Louisiana Legislature and interested parties are10
encouraged to attend this event and recognize this important issue.11
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby 12
urge and request each member of the Louisiana Legislature to host an Obesity Awareness13
Walk within the member's district to recognize the importance of this issue.14
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana recognizes that15
obesity issues must be addressed and hereby designates April 13, 2010, as "Obesity16
Awareness Day."17
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Jerry J. Guillot
DIGEST
Broome SCR No. 37
Requests each member of the legislature to host an Obesity Awareness Walk within the
member's district to recognize the importance of this issue.
Also resolves that the legislature recognizes that obesity issues must be addressed and
designates April 13, 2010, as "Obesity Awareness Day."