The Honorable Arne Duncan

LBJ Education Building, 7W311

400 Maryland Ave. SW
Washington DC 20202
February 13, 2014
Dear Secretary Duncan:
As a future voter and student of Poland Regional High School, located in Poland, Maine,
I strongly urge you to take action in preventing child obesity. Child obesity is no longer
a problem on the back-burner; it is a very relevant and pressing topic. The CDC reports
a dramatic increase in the past thirty years. Finding that, "In 2010, more than one-third
of children and adolescents were overweight or obese" in the United States (http://
www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/obesity/facts.htm). The evidence compiled by some of the
nation's top health researchers attests as to why it is time to finally confront this issue.
Although the government cannot parent every child in the United States, it should be
involved in increasing physical education classes, educating parents about healthy
choices, and preventative testing, as well as funding further research. All in order to
educate, feed and encourage exercise in America's future generation.
Approximately twenty-three million children and adolescents have a body mass index
(BMI) at or above the ninety-fifth percentile for their gender and/or age (nccor.org).
This means that one-third of America's children are at heightened risks for diabetes,
cardiovascular disease, many kinds of cancer, bone and joint problems and self-esteem
issues (cdc.gov). Exercise may present itself as a simple solution, but how can that be
done when only 2.1% of high schools, 7.9% of middle-schools and just 3.8% of
elementary schools provide a daily physical education class or the equivalent amount
per week (nccor.org). With an increasing number in child obesity and no clear
improvements, it is likely that the government costs will also increase. A 2009 study in
Journal of Health Affairs showed that from just 2001 to 2005 hospitalization costs
related to childhood obesity rose from $125.9 million (2001) to $237.6 million (2005).
Not to mention that annually America spends nearly $147 billion on direct and indirect
costs of obesity (cnn.com). Furthermore, in 2011 alone there were twenty-six policies
enacted regarding child obesity across the United States (ncsl.org). Needless to say this
issue is not just going to fix itself; something must be done and soon to combat this
horrific reality facing our nation.
One may argue that parents are responsible for their own children and their eating/
exercise habits. However, it is impossible to ensure that parents know what healthy
habits to instill in their children. Furthermore, the government has the largest possible
outreach to children, reaching up to thirty-two million children daily through the
National School Lunch Program (letsmove.gov). In addition to the many children
participating in this program, the government has some sort of influence on every

school in the nation. Additionally, steps such as improving the National School Lunch
Program and increasing education will carry benefits for everyone, not just those who
suffer from obesity. "If a village must choose between building a reservoir for potable
water and building a health clinic, the water may take precedence over the clinic,
because more lives can be saved by ensuring access to clean water than by ensuring
access to the health clinic" (http://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov). This example connects to obesity
because with a limit on how far the government can intervene in the daily lives of its
citizens, it is able to teach them how to be healthy rather than efforts to help them out of
obesity. Prevention of obesity through education and exercise is also a more costeffective solution as opposed to medical treatment, while at the same time avoiding
unneeded pain and suffering. Overall, the government has the power, resources and
knowledge to address this issue.
It is self-evident that the government would be overstepping ones right of privacy
(Amendment IV) if it required citizens to eat certain foods for every meal. However, it is
within its power to educate the public and make changes in the school systems. One may
also point out that the government should not be involved in this process because it is
clearly not its fault children are obese. However, it would be unfair to hold individuals
responsible for their own health when genetics and environment have a large role in the
causing of disabilities and diseases such as obesity. Although everyone has the power to
change their habits, one can't place all the blame on children for being obese when
parents choose what to feed them. Furthermore, those against government action on
this topic are concerned that no matter how much the government does to help this
issue, parents (and their incomes) have the ultimate power and influence over what food
their child consumes and how much physical activity they do at home. Although this
statement is true, leaving the issue in the hands of parents and ignoring the problem will
show no improvement. Therefore, government intervention without overstepping the
limits of privacy will have a big enough influence. After organizations such as Mothers
Against Drunk Driving (M.A.D.D.) began their campaign of creating a poor image for
those who drive drunk, the number of drunk driving deaths were cut in half according to
practicing physician and author, Dr. Carol Cassella (online.wsj.com). In other words, the
intervention of an organization with a strong message can have an influence beyond our
knowledge. Overall, with countless arguments for both sides of this issue it is clear that
any influence of healthy habits can make a difference. If nobody tries to help we'll never
know the impact it could have on ones life.
After a dramatic increase in obesity and years of complacency, it is time to tackle one the
most pressing problems facing America's children. Please take advantage of your
position and resources to make sure this letter gets the attention it truly deserves. I urge
you to:
-Support legislation to require BMI testing in all elementary schools across the nation.
After completing a BMI test a confidential report would be sent to parents explaining
the health of their child, warnings for obesity-related diseases, and their health
recommendations. The BMI of a child can be found by the simple use of a Body Mass
Index Calculator that would only cost schools about thirty dollars for each one.

Furthermore, this proposal would not require much additional funding as it can be
completed by nurses during routine height and weight tests at the beginning of each
school year. As of 2011, seven states had already signed policies regarding BMI
screening (ncsl.org).
-Look into the creation of a study that would investigate the relationship between
obesity rates and socioeconomics. It is possible that many people in our country on food
stamps or in poverty try to buy the most amount of food they can for the smallest
amount of money in order to keep their families full. However, the cheapest foods they
are able to buy tend to be junk foods with high sodium and sugar content. Is there a true
connection between these findings and the increase of obesity? Having this information
will help to pave the way for future legislation to stop child obesity. As well as, bring the
opportunity to reform Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) to allow those
with lower incomes the opportunity to buy healthier foods. Previous research
surrounding this topic includes documentary's such as A Place at the Table and Food
Inc. .
-Support legislation to create a national minimum requirement for physical education in
elementary schools. It is found that with a lack of funding and smaller budgets gym
classes and after-school activities (such as sports) have been the first to be cut from the
budget. It then falls into the responsibility of the government to make sure that children
are still given an opportunity to be in a safe environment where they can have fun while
exercising. An appropriate minimum would be thirty minutes per day (half the daily
recommended amount) or 135 minutes per week (letsmove.gov). These requirements
would ensure that children would receive some sort of physical activity each day/week
may very well attribute to a decrease in child obesity. Although there will be more
trouble funding a policy such as this, a decrease in child obesity will, in the long run,
save the government money. Additionally, completion of physical activity does not have
to be run by a physical education teacher every time but can instead happen in a thirty
minute "free time" of exercise and physical-activity games in the classroom.
-Implement health education forums in schools for both children and parents.
Ultimately, the parents are the ones who will make the decisions on what their child is
eating and whether or not they're watching television or playing video games all day. So,
although it is very important to educate children in schools on healthy choices their
parents also have to be involved for it to make a a difference. This could be done through
a pre-made powerpoint about healthy habits (meal plans and physical activity) and be
shown by schools throughout the nation. To ensure the correct information is being
passed out the CDC or the USDA would be able to create a powerpoint to share that
would include healthy meals, the risks of obesity and examples of fun activities involving
exercise. Additionally, the presentation would be shown to parents during "Back-toSchool" meetings held every year or at an open house by teachers or administration.
Since government organizations such as the CDC and USDA already have research and
information on these topics, additional funding would not be necessary for information.
However, it would cost a minimal amount to pay a small group to put the powerpoint
together. To share the presentation with schools it could be placed on the website of the

CDC or another government website dedicated to topics surrounding this issue so that
everyone would be given access to it. Overall, with a simple distribution the only true
costs would be the payment of a group to complete it.
In hopes of truly combatting this issue I thank you for reading my recommendations. As
pointed out by numerous statistics conducted by top health experts, over one-third of
America's children and adolescents are suffering from obesity. It is now the obligation of
both the American people and government to not parent each individual but to become
involved in educating, feeding and encouraging the physical activity/exercise of our
children. Please consider my requests, I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Sincerely,

Emily Faye Gibson

EmilyGibson15@gmail.com
20 Thunder Rd., Mechanic Falls, ME, 04256