The Wisconsin Legislature is joining the country’s fight against obesity by discussing the possibility of writing legislation aimed at reducing the rising number of overweight residents.
According to state health reports, almost 59 percent of the state population is overweight or obese.
Congress is starting to focus on the issue as the numbers of obese people in the nation continue to climb. The Center for Disease Control reported in 2001 that one in five American adults was obese, which is about 44 million Americans.
According to 2003 reports by the National Conference of State, 15 states have introduced legislation to regulate the nutritional content of meals at schools; 15 states have or are considering legislation implementing mandatory physical education requirements; and 23 states are considering legislation regarding food sold in vending machines at schools.
Despite the lack of any legislation or proposals regarding obesity in Wisconsin, state legislators are taking action.
The Wisconsin Senate Health Committee held an assembly meeting Sept. 16 to discuss the issue of obesity. Sen. Carol Roessler, R-Oshkosh, chairperson for the Committee on Health, Children, Families, Aging and Long-Term Care, expressed strong concerns regarding the problem of obesity in Wisconsin.
“The joint hearing we had with the Assembly committee last week was all about public awareness. We were very shocked to learn that Wisconsin is higher than percentages in the nation for the percent and number of people who are listed as obese. It’s 59 percent,” she said.
Wisconsin is still in the initial stages of the fight against obesity, and it may be some time before any legislative measures are taken.
“We don’t have any legislative proposals that we are pursuing as a result of the hearing. It was all about public information, and I’m confident that some behaviors of those of us on the committees will change as a result of some of what we heard,” Roesseler said.
Health statistics show that children who are obese continue to be overweight as adults. According to state legislators, this is not encouraging news for a state in which 15 percent of children are currently overweight.
Proponents of obesity legislation want to aim legislation at the youth to stop bad eating habits before they begin. For now, the Senate Health Committee is focused on spreading the word about this dangerous health situation.
“It’s about awareness and education of the public and getting this news out that we have to take better care of ourselves in terms of our weight and its association with these other major illnesses and chronic diseases,” Roesseler said
