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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION 266

 
2    WHEREAS, During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Centers for
3Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported that the
4obesity rate of Americans has risen to above 40% for the first
5time and the rate of childhood obesity has risen to above 20%,
6especially in the age group of 13 to 18 year olds; this is
7especially important given that, despite the current pandemic,
8the leading cause of death in the United States remains
9cardiovascular disease, which is mostly caused by obesity and
10being overweight in correlation with the complications that
11arise from those symptoms; and
 
12    WHEREAS, Doctors have noted that one of the largest causes
13of obesity in Americans is a diet high in simple
14carbohydrates, and some of the most effective tactics to
15reduce obesity are to reduce the intake of added sugars, to
16consume a balanced diet, and to participate in an active
17lifestyle; and
 
18    WHEREAS, In 2010, to reduce calorie consumption and
19promote a healthier lifestyle among children and teens,
20America's leading beverage companies, in coordination with
21First Lady Michelle Obama, Congress, and federal officials,
22supported development of federal guidelines on school
23nutrition and beverage products sold in public schools; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, These guidelines were largely included in the
22010 Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act and set a standard to remove
3full-calorie soft drinks and replace them with lower calorie,
4smaller portion options to reduce the availability of
5sweetened beverages; and
 
6    WHEREAS, A study published in 2020, led by researchers at
7the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, found that the
8percentage of children who were heavy consumers of
9sugar-sweetened beverages declined from 11% to 3% between 2003
10and 2016; and
 
11    WHEREAS, The percentage of adults who consumed such
12beverages dropped from 13% to 9% during that period; this was
13due, in part, to successful policy implementation that
14educated consumers about the effect of too much added sugar in
15diets and new guidelines that restricted children's access to
16foods and beverages with added sugars; and
 
17    WHEREAS, The welfare of children is an enormous
18responsibility, and the State of Illinois must continue to
19work towards ensuring the lives and health of its children are
20protected; therefore be it
 
21    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE

 

 

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1HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
2in light of three decades of sustained progress in reducing
3the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages, state officials,
4in partnership with school districts and organizations in the
5public and private sectors, are urged to continue to adhere to
6and enforce the beverage standards included in the Healthy
7Hunger Free Kids Act of 2010; and be it further
 
8    RESOLVED, That we urge the General Assembly to continue to
9monitor the impact of sugar from all sources on the State's
10residents; and be it further
 
11    RESOLVED, That we urge everyone to make healthy choices in
12their respective diets; and be it further
 
13    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
14delivered to Kate Wexell.