House Resolution 55

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION ACKNOWLEDGING THE FIRST ANNUAL OBSERVANCE OF MISSISSIPPI OBESITY AWARENESS DAY THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10, 2010.

WHEREAS, it is estimated that the annual cost of direct medical expenses from obesity in the United States is $147 billion making up just over nine percent of all medical spending; and

WHEREAS, Mississippi is ranked highest in the country in obesity in both adults and children, and is ranked as one of the top ten states in total medical expenditures related to obesity; and

WHEREAS, in Mississippi, 32.5% of all adults are obese, which constitutes obese individuals having a 36% higher average in annual medical expenditure than adults at normal weight; and

WHEREAS, in Mississippi, 44.4% of children ages 10-17 are considered overweight or obese, which shows a direct correlation in an increase in the cost of child obesity-associated illness from $35 to $127 million in the past two decades; and

WHEREAS, obesity and being overweight are associated with increased risks of costly chronic comorbid conditions, including diabetes, heart disease, stroke, hypertension, high cholesterol, gall bladder problems, sleep apnea, osteoarthritis, female infertility, breast, prostate and colon cancer; and

WHEREAS, the total annual costs to United States employers for obesity-related health complications total an estimated $13 billion per year, averaging $8 billion in health insurance claims, $2.4 billion in paid sick leave, $1.8 billion in life insurance and $1 billion in disability insurance; and

WHEREAS, the total loss in productivity days and absenteeism associated annually with obesity compute for a tabulation of 39 million lost work days, 239 million restricted-activity days, 63 million physician visits and 89 million bed-rest-days; and

WHEREAS, the observance of Mississippi Obesity Awareness Day will allow participants to provide educational information to legislators and other public officials on the health risks associated with obesity, as well as highlighting obesity as a statewide public health problem which may be impacted by public health initiatives such as health and physical education and emphasizing the important need to recognize evidence-based treatment options, including preventative care, diet and exercise and surgery, including long-term follow-up care; and

WHEREAS, the Mississippi Legislature, Department of Public Health, Division of Medicaid and all state employee benefits programs are encouraged to be proactive and undertake a cost-benefit analysis in their approach to implementing initiatives addressing the coverage of obesity and wellness in health plans; and

WHEREAS, proponents of Mississippi Obesity Awareness Day support and encourage third-party payment for evidence-based longitudinal treatment options for obesity, including preventative care, diet and exercise, drug therapy and surgery, including long-term follow-up care; and

WHEREAS, the Mississippi Legislature and other public officials will have an opportunity to learn the economics of obesity and discuss the potential for solutions that businesses can implement to help fight the disease on March 10, 2010; and

WHEREAS, Allergan, Inc., Johnson & Johnson, Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc., LifeScan, Animas, Obesity Action Coalition, Mississippi Dietetics Association, Mississippi Diabetes Association, Mississippi Heart Association, the Office of Healthy Schools in the State Department of Education and the members of the Mississippi Chapter of the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery have partnered to have a display in the rotunda of the State Capitol to educate and discuss the impact of obesity in Mississippi on March 10, 2010; and

WHEREAS, the House of Representatives recognizes that obesity issues must be addressed and encourages all members of the Mississippi Legislature, public officials and other interested parties to attend this event and to recognize this important far-reaching issue:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby acknowledge the need to be more cognizant of the health concerns and complications associated with adult and childhood obesity on the designation of March 10, 2010, as the first annual observance of Mississippi Obesity Awareness Day.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the Chairmen of the House and Senate Public Health Committees, the Obesity Action Coalition, the Office of Healthy Schools in the State Department of Education and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.