The “Obesity Prevention, Treatment and Research Act of 2009”, is intended, quote, “to comprehensively prevent, treat, and decrease overweight and obesity in our Nation’s populations.” If passed by both houses of Congress and signed into law by the President, the bill would empower the federal government to develop a national strategy to combat childhood and adult obesity. Other federal agencies, communities, and health care service providers would presumably be called upon to work together in this joint effort.
Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries would also gain access to nutritional counseling and lifestyle activity programs under the proposed legislation.
Senator Bingaman’s proposal may or may not be the solution to the childhood obesity problem, but it represents a start at finding one. One thing is certain: with one out of three children in the United States either overweight or obese, we can’t afford to do nothing.
