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2012 -- H 8196 | |
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LC02630 | |
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND | |
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IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY | |
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JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2012 | |
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H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N | |
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PROCLAIMING MAY 23, 2012, AS "SHAPE UP RHODE ISLAND DAY" IN THE | |
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND | |
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Introduced By: Representatives Fox, Mattiello, Newberry, Bennett, and McNamara | |
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Date Introduced: May 23, 2012 | |
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Referred To: House read and passed | |
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WHEREAS, Obesity in the United States has reached epidemic proportions. More than |
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one-third of adults living in the United States are obese. Obesity-related conditions such as heart |
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disease, stroke, type two diabetes, and certain types of cancer are some of the leading causes of |
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death; and |
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WHEREAS, According to the Centers for Disease Control, in 2008 medical costs |
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associated with obesity were estimated at $147 billion, and the medical costs paid by third-party |
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payors for people who are obese was $1,429 higher than those for individuals of normal weight; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, Obesity also significantly affects children. Approximately 17 percent of |
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children and adolescents are obese. Since 1980, obesity prevalence among children and |
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adolescents has almost tripled; and |
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WHEREAS, States can and must take a proactive role in increasing wellness and |
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decreasing obesity. States can directly fund those programs that encourage activity and healthy |
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lifestyles. They can draw public attention to the ramifications of unhealthy practices. States can |
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organize broad, powerful, and sustained efforts to focus on prevention, adopt proven strategies, |
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and reverse the obesity epidemic; and |
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WHEREAS, Since 2005, Shape Up Rhode Island has used teamwork, social networking, |
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and healthy competition to make significant, positive changes and health advances in the lives of |
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70,000 Rhode Islanders; and |
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WHEREAS, Shape Up Rhode Island’s chairman, Rajiv Kumar, MD, has dedicated |
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himself to addressing the obesity epidemic in Rhode Island; and |
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WHEREAS, Shape Up Rhode Island has educated individuals in all thirty-nine towns and |
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cities about the importance of developing healthier eating practices and increasing physical |
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activity; and |
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WHEREAS, Shape Up Rhode Island has been a nationally-recognized, award winning |
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statewide wellness competition; and |
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WHEREAS, Shape Up Rhode Island’s evidence-based program has been validated by |
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studies published in peer reviewed journals; and |
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WHEREAS, Shape Up Rhode Island has encouraged thousands of Rhode Islanders |
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through collaboration with employers, educational institutions, community leaders, non-profit |
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organizations, and the Rhode Island Department of Health; now, therefore be it |
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RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and |
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Providence Plantations hereby proclaims May 23, 2012, as “Shape Up Rhode Island Day.” This |
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House urges all the citizens of the State to take an active role in increasing their wellness and |
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quality of life; and be it further |
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RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is authorized and directed to |
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transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the chairman of Shape Up Rhode Island, Rajiv |
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Kumar, MD. |
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LC02630 | |
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