The American Academy of Pediatrics, Hawaii Chapter (HAAP) supports passage of HB379, a bill to establish the Physical Activity and Nutrition Coalition Task Force.

As stated in the bill, "obesity is considered to be the major health issue of the twenty-first century". The fact that numbers of overweight and obese adults and children are increasing with the resulting harmful medical conditions has been well documented across the country and in Hawaii.

The most commonly suggested solution is that we increase our physical exercise time and eat a more nutritious diet. Prescriptions for doing this are published almost daily in the media yet we all know how difficult this is to accomplish as individuals.

The proposed Physical Activity and Nutrition Coalition Task Force will review all the factors which have led us to our present situation and all the options for solutions. It will recommend strategies to reverse the trend to obesity in Hawaii. It will set up an evaluation system so that we may know if our strategies are successful. All other options for understanding and treating the epidemic will be considered. Because of the very complex nature of this problem, a coalition of knowledgeable partners is needed.

February 23, 2005