H. Res. 503 

In the House of Representatives, U. S., 

June 9, 2009. 

Whereas, May 1 through May 7, 2009, is observed as National Physical Education and Sport Week; 

Whereas childhood obesity has reached epidemic proportions 

in the United States; 

Whereas the Department of Health and Human Services estimates that, by 2010, 20 percent of children in the United 

States will be obese; 

Whereas a decline in physical activity has contributed to the 

unprecedented epidemic of childhood obesity; 

Whereas regular physical activity is necessary to support normal and healthy growth in children; 

Whereas overweight adolescents have a 70 to 80 percent 

chance of becoming overweight adults, increasing their 

risk for chronic disease, disability, and death; 

Whereas type 2 diabetes can no longer be referred to as ‘‘late 

in life’’ or ‘‘adult onset’’ diabetes because it occurs in 

children as young as 10 years old; 

Whereas the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommend that children engage in at least 60 minutes of 

physical activity on most, and preferably all, days of the 

week; 
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•HRES 503 EH 

Whereas children spend many of their waking hours at school 

and therefore need to be active during the school day to 

meet the recommendations of the Physical Activity 

Guidelines for Americans; 

Whereas teaching children about physical education and 

sports not only ensures that they are physically active 

during the school day, but also educates them on how to 

be physically active and its importance; 

Whereas according to a 2006 survey by the Department of 

Health and Human Services, 3.8 percent of elementary 

schools, 7.9 percent of middle schools, and 2.1 percent of 

high schools provide daily physical education or its equivalent for the entire school year, and 22 percent of schools 

do not require students to take any physical education at 

all; 

Whereas according to the survey, 13.7% of elementary 

schools, 15.2% of middle schools, and 3.0% of high 

schools provided physical education at least three days 

per week, or the equivalent thereof, for the entire school 

year for students in all grades in the school; 

Whereas research shows that fit and active children are more 

likely to thrive academically; 

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

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 503 EH 

Whereas Congress strongly supports efforts to increase physical activity and participation of youth in sports: Now, 

therefore, be it 

Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

(1) recognizes National Physical Education and 

Sport Week and the central role of physical education 

and sports in creating a healthy lifestyle for all children 

and youth; 

(2) calls on school districts to implement local 

wellness policies as defined by the Child Nutrition and 

WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004 that include ambitious 

goals for physical education, physical activity, and other 

activities addressing the childhood obesity epidemic and 

promoting child wellness; 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 

months for all children and youth. 

Attest: 

Clerk.