Calorie-packed snacks and sugary beverages combined with sedentary behaviors are fueling the obesity crisis among our nation’s youth and threatening our future health and prosperity as a country. Not only does childhood obesity lead to abnormal cholesterol and hypertension in kids, but it can potentially increase the risk of diabetes and heart disease in early adulthood. Currently, only 21 percent of children and adolescents eat the recommended five or more servings of fruits and vegetables each day. And studies have shown that a healthier child learns more effectively and achieves more academically. We are losing a generation to childhood obesity.

The legislation approved by the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry shows how our nation’s schools can be a part of the solution by expelling junk food from cafeterias, snack shops and vending machines, strengthening nutrition and physical activity policies, and increasing funding for nutrition programs. We applaud Chairman Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) and Ranking Member Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) for their leadership in moving the bill forward in committee. We also applaud Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) for championing provisions to remove junk food from schools, and Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) for strengthening school local wellness policies. We now call on the Senate to pass this bi-partisan legislation, and for the House of Representatives to take similar action, to help our kids live healthier, more productive lives that will be free of heart diseases and strokes. This is a must-do.

For more information visit www.americanheart.org/obesitypolicy