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-
•HRES 371 EH 
ical activity, and a lack of education about proper nutri-
tion and the benefits of physical activity; 
Whereas minority children are at greatest risk for obesity, es-
pecially African Americans, Hispanics, American Indians, 
and Asians/Pacific Islanders living in low-income commu-
nities; 
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 chron-
ic 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 im-
proves 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 team-
work 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 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 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 edu-
cation, 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 ac-
tivities before and after school and during the summer 
for all children and youth. 
Attest: 
Clerk.