NAACP Supports Obesity Prevention and Healthy Environments for the African American Communities

WHEREAS, an alarming number of young and adult African Americans are obese and suffering from chronic diseases; and

WHEREAS, obesity rates have soared among all age groups, increasing more than four-fold among children ages 6 - 11 over the last 40 years; and

WHEREAS, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), obesity costs our nation as much as $147 billion per year in direct healthcare costs and lost productivity; and

WHEREAS, many African Americans have limited accessibility to healthy foods and are exposed to high sodium foods; and

WHEREAS, many African American children are exposed to unhealthy foods through commercial ads enticing purchase at local grocery stores(s) and schools.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the NAACP encourages school systems across America to promote healthy living strategies in the classroom to include nutrition education and seminars on health and the effects of environments on one's well being; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the NAACP stands opposed to the lack of available healthy foods in African American neighborhood grocery stores and public schools; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the NAACP units will work through the local, state and federal legislative process to ensure that such practices will be closely monitored until finally changed for better health.