Nearly a third of American children are overweight or obese, according to Centers of Disease Control and Prevention statistics, but some communities and ethnicities are more vulnerable to childhood obesity than others. Rep. Fudge (D-OH) said the Fit for Local Investments in the Future of Every Child (L.I.F.E.) Act of 2010 has been structured in order to address the particular barriers to healthy lifestyles among rural, inner city and Native American communities, which have especially high obesity rates.
CEO and president of the GMA Pamela Bailey said: “On behalf of GMA and the food and beverage industry I applaud Representative Fudge for introducing this important piece of legislation. The Fit for L.I.F.E. Act will help Americans in underserved communities build healthy diets and improve access to physical activity. This will help Americans of every age live healthy lives and will be vital to successfully addressing this country’s critical obesity challenge.”
Fudge said that the legislation would encourage corner stores to sell fresh produce in communities where there are no grocery stores, reauthorize the National Youth Sports Programs, “which attack hunger, inactivity, and poor nutritional knowledge in a fun environment” and expand the Native American youth Zuni program “which combats stereotypes that undermine healthy living.”
“Fit for L.I.F.E. recognizes these opportunities. It proposes change, as well as innovative solutions,” Fudge said.
Bailey added: “All of us – industry, government, parents, schools and non-governmental organizations share the First Lady's goal of solving obesity within a generation. And we agree on how to get there. GMA and its members are committed to doing our part by providing consumers with the products, tools and information they need to construct a healthy diet and lead a more active lifestyle. Each of us has a role to play and if we all do our part, we can get the job done.”