IV 

115TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 142 

Expressing support for designation of the week of October 29 through 

November 4, 2017, as ‘‘National Obesity Care Week’’. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

FEBRUARY 16, 2017 

Mr. PAULSEN (for himself and Mr. KIND) submitted the following resolution; 

which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce 

RESOLUTION 

Expressing support for designation of the week of October 

29 through November 4, 2017, as ‘‘National Obesity 

Care Week’’. 

Whereas the disease of obesity is a major source of concern 

across the United States, and more than one-third of 

adults in the United States are affected by obesity, with 

the number of people with severe obesity in the United 

States continuing to grow; 

Whereas experts and researchers agree that obesity is a complex disease influenced by various physiological, environmental, and genetic factors; 

Whereas, while prevention programs have successfully established the seriousness of the public health crisis posed by 

obesity, it is also imperative that individuals and families 


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•HRES 142 IH 

currently affected by obesity receive comprehensive care 

and treatment; 

Whereas studies show that bias against and stigma associated 

with people affected by obesity among general society and 

healthcare professionals are significant barriers to effectively treating the disease; 

Whereas healthcare professionals, policymakers, patients, and 

families should regard obesity with the same level of seriousness with which other chronic diseases are regarded; 

Whereas research suggests that weight loss of as little as 5 

to 10 percent of the total weight of an individual affected 

by obesity can improve the associated health risks affecting many patients living with obesity and can thereby 

support the goals of Federal and State initiatives to reduce chronic disease, improve health outcomes, and help 

control healthcare costs; 

Whereas healthcare professionals should treat patients with 

respect and compassion and should partner with patients 

to develop comprehensive and individualized approaches 

to weight loss and weight management that consider all 

appropriate treatment options, such as reduced-calorie 

diets, physical activity modifications, pharmacotherapy, 

and bariatric surgery; 

Whereas it will take a long-term collaborative effort, which 

will involve individual, corporate, and institutional partners in all fields taking active roles, to ignite the betterment of obesity care and treatment; and 

Whereas the week of October 29 through November 4, 2017, 

would be an appropriate week to designate as ‘‘National 

Obesity Care Week’’: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 


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•HRES 142 IH 

1 (1) supports the designation of ‘‘National Obe2 sity Care Week’’; and 

3 (2) encourages all people in the United States 

4 to create a foundation of open communication to 

5 break barriers of misunderstanding and stigma re6 garding obesity and to improve the lives of all indi7 viduals affected by obesity and their families. 

Æ 


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