H. Res. 371 

In the House of Representatives, U. S., 

May 7, 2007. 

Whereas May 1 through 7, 2007, is observed as National 

Physical Education and Sports Week; 

Whereas physical inactivity of both youth and adults is a 

major health risk factor in this country today; 

Whereas the percentage of overweight young people has more 

than tripled since 1980; 

Whereas nationally, 1 out of 4 children does not attend any 

school physical education classes and fewer than 1 in 4 

children get 20 minutes of vigorous activity every day; 

Whereas physical activity is necessary to support the normal 

growth in children, and is essential to the continuing 

health and well-being of youth and adults; 

Whereas children and youth with low fitness levels tend to 

have low fitness levels during adulthood and healthy 

weight management programs suggest that approximately 

300 minutes of exercise are required per week for an 

adult to maintain his or her weight over the course of a 

single year; 

Whereas low-income high risk communities have the highest 

obesity rates due to factors including lack of access to 

healthful foods, a lack of safe, available venues for phys-
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•HRES 371 EH 

ical activity, and a lack of education about proper nutrition and the benefits of physical activity; 

Whereas minority children are at greatest risk for obesity, especially African Americans, Hispanics, American Indians, 

and Asians/Pacific Islanders living in low-income communities; 

Whereas physical activity reduces the risks of heart disease, 

high blood pressure, diabetes, chronic low back pain, and 

certain types of cancers and Type II diabetes can no 

longer be called ‘‘late in life’’ or ‘‘adult onset’’ diabetes 

because we are seeing Type II diabetes (and other chronic illnesses) in children as young as 10; 

Whereas youth who are physically active show less severe 

symptoms of anxiety; 

Whereas participation in sports and physical activity improves self-esteem and body image in children and adults; 

Whereas children and youth who partake in physical activity 

and sports programs have increased motor skills, healthy 

lifestyles, social skills, a sense of fair play, strong teamwork skills, self-discipline, and avoid risky behaviors; 

Whereas the 60 million school-aged children and youth in 

America have the potential to acquire the knowledge, 

skills, and values that can lead to a lifetime of physical 

activity and healthy living; 

Whereas the social and environmental factors affecting children are in the control of the adults and the communities 

in which they live, and therefore this Nation shares a collective responsibility in reversing the childhood obesity 

trend; and 
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•HRES 371 EH 

Whereas Congress strongly supports efforts to increase the 

physical activity and participation of youth in sports: 

Now, therefore, be it 

Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

(1) recognizes National Physical Education and 

Sports Week and the central role of physical activity and 

sports in creating a healthy lifestyle for all children and 

youth; 

(2) calls on communities to work with schools, in 

concert with key stakeholders of the community, to craft 

and implement a local wellness plan as required by the 

Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004 

that includes goals for physical activity, nutrition education, and other school-based activities to promote 

physical education and wellness as well as nutrition 

guidelines for foods sold in schools, implementation 

plans, and measures to determine effectiveness; and 

(3) encourages schools to offer physical education 

classes to students and work with community partners 

to provide opportunities and safe spaces for physical activities before and after school and during the summer 

for all children and youth. 

Attest: 

Clerk.