H. Res. 503 
In the House of Representatives, U. S., 
June 9, 2009. 
Whereas, May 1 through May 7, 2009, is observed as Na-
tional Physical Education and Sport Week; 
Whereas childhood obesity has reached epidemic proportions 
in the United States; 
Whereas the Department of Health and Human Services esti-
mates 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 nor-
mal 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 rec-
ommend that children engage in at least 60 minutes of 
physical activity on most, and preferably all, days of the 
week;
•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 equiv-
alent 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 im-
proves self-esteem and body image in children and adults; 
Whereas the social and environmental factors affecting chil-
dren are in the control of the adults and the communities 
in which they live, and therefore this Nation shares a col-
lective responsibility in reversing the childhood obesity 
trend; and
•HRES 503 EH 
Whereas Congress strongly supports efforts to increase phys-
ical 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 ac-
tivities before and after school and during the summer 
months for all children and youth. 
Attest: 
Clerk.