IN SUPPORT OF FUNDING OBESITY PREVENTION

WHEREAS, between the 1970s and 2000, obesity has become a national public health epidemic; and

WHEREAS, nearly one-third of all American adults are obese and 65% are either overweight or obese, and at least 16% of children 6-19 years of age are considered overweight in the United States; and

WHEREAS, obesity has significant impacts on health and social welfare, leading to disease, disability and death as well as lost productivity and increased health care expenditures; and

WHEREAS, in 2004, the total medical cost of obesity was estimated to be $75 billion; and

WHEREAS, between 1947 and 1997, calorically-sweetened beverage consumption increased 500%; and

WHEREAS, substantial scientific evidence, including epidemiologic and experimental studies, supports a causal relationship between the consumption of calorically-sweetened beverages and obesity and overweight; and

WHEREAS, controlled trials of removing calorically-sweetened beverages from the diet results in weight loss; and

WHEREAS, one key way to address the health and economic impacts caused by obesity and overweight is by focusing attention on calorically-sweetened beverages and other heavily marketed food and beverage items that contribute to obesity; and

WHEREAS, these revenues from the sales of these items could fund important public health prevention programs that reduced obesity and/or mitigate the negative impacts, including school food marketing initiatives, citywide nutrition and physical activity media campaigns, or other childhood and adult nutrition and physical activity programs; and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the US Conference of Mayors supports increased resources for cities to help combat obesity and fund obesity prevention, including consideration of revenues from the major leading contributors of the nation’s obesity epidemic, including calorically sweetened beverages, fast food and high calorie snacks.