House Resolution 134 - Introduced HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 134 BY UPMEYER , SCHULTE , HELLAND , LYKAM , and JACOBY A Resolution encouraging parents to cook with their 1 children. 2 WHEREAS, our children are Iowa’s most precious and 3 joyful responsibility, and we are obligated to do all 4 we can to make the good health of our children our 5 number one goal; and 6 WHEREAS, childhood obesity is considered by many to 7 be an epidemic in western countries, particularly in 8 the United States where over 15 percent of children are 9 currently considered obese and where that number is 10 increasing; and 11 WHEREAS, overweight children can develop serious 12 health problems, such as diabetes and heart disease, 13 often carrying these conditions into adulthood as an 14 obese adult; and 15 WHEREAS, overweight children are at higher risk for 16 developing Type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, high 17 blood pressure, asthma and other respiratory problems, 18 sleep disorders, liver disease, eating disorders, and 19 skin infections; and 20 WHEREAS, research shows that children are more open 21 to tasting new foods they help prepare; and 22 WHEREAS, children who help their parents shop 23 for groceries and help prepare the food they buy are 24 empowered to make decisions about what they eat and are 25 more likely to choose healthier foods; and 26 WHEREAS, when buying groceries, parents can share 27 with children the benefits of healthy snacks and the 28 -1- LSB 6013HH (4) 84 jr/nh 1/ 3
H.R. 134 importance of choosing fruits and vegetables over 1 convenience foods that are high in sugar and fat; and 2 WHEREAS, studies show that parents’ presence at 3 mealtime leads to kids eating healthier meals and, 4 in terms of preventing obesity, it is important to 5 understand that the example parents give their children 6 will influence what they eat; and 7 WHEREAS, parents and children should select recipes 8 and preparation methods that are lower in fat, put 9 colorful food on the table, such as green and yellow 10 vegetables, fruits of various colors, and whole-grain 11 breads, and refrain from eating in front of the 12 television or computer; and 13 WHEREAS, experts say that if families gathered 14 around the dinner table more often and made sharing 15 news and telling stories an event, it would provide 16 benefits to children, such as improved academic 17 performance and higher self-esteem; and 18 WHEREAS, celebrity chef Guy Fieri, and other chefs, 19 have helped to make cooking with kids a fun and healthy 20 family activity; NOW THEREFORE, 21 BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, 22 That the House of Representatives encourages parents 23 and children to spend time in the kitchen together and 24 prepare a healthy meal; and 25 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That parents are encouraged 26 to cook with their children at least once per week, 27 spend quality time and make healthy food choices with 28 their children, commit to new healthy habits, and set 29 achievable goals for their families; and 30 -2- LSB 6013HH (4) 84 jr/nh 2/ 3
H.R. 134 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Chief Clerk of the 1 House of Representatives shall transmit copies of this 2 resolution to the sponsor for appropriate distribution. 3 -3- LSB 6013HH (4) 84 jr/nh 3/ 3