Rep. McCarthy Supports Legislation to Improve Nutrition for American Children

Statement

The following is an op-ed by Rep. Carolyn McCarthy in support of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010:

"This week, the U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote on the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010. This bipartisan legislation, which passed unanimously in the Senate, will reauthorize child nutrition programs, expanding access to healthy meals for millions of children in schools, child care, and community based settings.

There are currently more than 32 million children who rely on federal child nutrition programs. The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act would be one of the most historic investments in child nutrition programs since they were first implemented and will help set American children on a path of healthy eating and healthy living.

As a nurse for over 30 years, I have seen firsthand the risks and illnesses that can result from obesity. Childhood obesity is found in young children and adolescents of all social and economic levels and being overweight increases the risk of developing chronic diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, and kidney disease. Nationally, one-third of our children are either overweight or at risk of becoming overweight and one of the best tools we have to combat these illnesses is our ability to provide wholesome and healthy nutrition to children in school.

In Congress, I have been working hard to determine how we should address many important issues through child nutrition reauthorization and have made the health and wellness of our children a top legislative priority. As Chairwoman of the Healthy Families and Communities Subcommittee, I have held numerous subcommittee hearings and listened to testimony about studies that demonstrate that one in five four-year olds are obese, that kids have the arteries of middle aged adults and that the number of children who take medication for chronic diseases has jumped dramatically.

These statistics are shocking. Lack of access to affordable and healthy foods, lack of safe, available venues for physical activity, and lack of education about nutrition and its benefits are threatening an entire generation of children. The First Lady has been doing an incredible job bringing this issue to the forefront with her "Let's Move" campaign. Now Congress needs to do its part. If we do not act now to address the obesity epidemic, this generation may not live as long as their parents' generation. In a recent report by Mission: Readiness, a nonprofit, bi-partisan organization led by senior retired military leaders, childhood obesity is affecting the national security of our country. For the first time, our military has seen an increase in young men and women who are unfit for enlistment as a result of being overweight. We MUST take steps to emphasize healthy food and healthy habits at an early age in order to help set American children and adolescents on a path to healthy living.

The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act contains provisions which are very important to a great number of children. I'm proud this bill contains provisions from legislation I've introduced to promote nutrition and wellness in child care settings and supporting breastfeeding for low-income women. The bipartisan legislation will improve the quality of meals children eat in school and in child care, increase the federal reimbursement rate for school lunches and eliminate junk food from schools by applying nutritional standards to food served outside the cafeteria for the first time ever. Low-income communities tend to have the highest obesity rates and during difficult financial times, many families across the country are struggling to put food on the table. Our schools have an increasingly important role to play in providing children with nutritious food during the day and we must ensure that these schools have access to adequate funding in order to meet the demand for meals with healthy, nutritious and high-quality foods.

One of the greatest responsibilities we have as a nation is to safeguard the health and well-being of our children. The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act is strong, common-sense legislation that will improve access to healthy food for our children. By taking a comprehensive approach to nutrition, our children, families and communities will all be healthier. Congress has been able to work in a bipartisan manner regarding child nutrition legislation in the past. I urge my colleagues to work together again and support this bill."

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