HR0266 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0266 LRB102 18280 LAW 25977 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, During the COVID-19 pandemic, the CDC has reported that the obesity rate of Americans has risen to above 40% for the first time, and the rate of childhood obesity has risen to above 20%, especially in the age group of 13 to 18 year olds; and

WHEREAS, This is especially important given that, despite the current pandemic, the leading cause of death in the United States remains cardiovascular disease, which is mostly caused by obesity and being overweight in correlation with the complications that arise from those symptoms; and

WHEREAS, Doctors have noted that one of the largest causes of obesity in Americans is a diet that is high in simple carbohydrates, including soft drinks; along with soft drinks being filled with harmful sugars, energy drinks have also been shown by the CDC to cause heart complications due to high levels of caffeine when consumed in excess; in 2011, the overconsumption of energy drinks resulted in the hospitalization of 1,499 students across the United States; and

WHEREAS, The CDC released a report in 2017 that detailed that between 2011 to 2014, almost two-thirds of children consume at least one sugar-sweetened beverage per day; among older children, aged 13 to 19, this number rose; this same report also provides evidence that links consumption of these drinks to obesity and recommends that children should choose to drink items without added sugars; and

WHEREAS, A majority of students have easy access to both soft drinks and energy drinks through their schools' lunch rooms and vending machines; and

WHEREAS, Children developing nutritional habits should not have free access to harmful liquids, especially when it is available every day; it has been shown that many patterns in diets among children tend to reflect their eating patterns throughout the majority of their lives, meaning that it is important to develop good nutritional habits in their formative years; and

WHEREAS, The welfare of children is an enormous responsibility, and the State of Illinois must work towards ensuring the lives and health of its children are protected; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we urge the General Assembly to examine the impact of sugary beverages on children and the availability of sugary drinks in our State's public schools; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we urge everyone to make healthy choices in their respective diets; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be delivered to Kate Wexell.