HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.C.R. NO.

37

TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2002

  

STATE OF HAWAII

  
   

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO NEGOTIATE THE INTRODUCTION OF HEALTHY JUICES AND SNACKS INTO THE DISPENSING MACHINES ALLOWED ON HAWAII SCHOOL PREMISES.

 

 

WHEREAS, the admittedly popular soft drinks currently offered by the soda dispensers in Hawaii schools are virtually devoid of any nutritional value save sugar; and

WHEREAS, the equally popular snacks offered by the snack dispensers in Hawaii schools are also very low in nutrients and generally high in sugar and fat; and

WHEREAS, the high sugar and fat content of these foods and the lack of nutrients are known risk factors for both dental caries and obesity; and

WHEREAS, the organic acids released by sugar-fermenting oral bacteria are recognized by dental authorities to be the primary cause of dental caries; and

WHEREAS, the Hawaii Department of Health recognizes the incidence of childhood caries here to be among the highest in the nation; and

WHEREAS, a Hawaii Obesity Task Force was recently formed to deal with the skyrocketing incidence of obesity in Hawaii school children; and

WHEREAS, childhood obesity commonly carries over into adult obesity; and

WHEREAS, adult obesity by itself is estimated to be the underlying cause of roughly twenty per cent of the annual trillion dollar U.S. medical budget; and

WHEREAS, The National Soft Drink Association declared sales totaling in excess of $54,000,000,000 in 1998 and the Chocolate Manufacturers Association and the National Confectioners Association reported sales of $23,500,000,000 in 1998; and

WHEREAS, these figures, translated to consumption in Hawaii, give 54/50 or $1,080,000,000 for soft drinks and 23.5/50 or $47,000,000 for candy (assuming equal consumption in each state); and

WHEREAS, the purveyors of these popular items are in no way held financially responsible for the health costs generated by their use in the State of Hawaii; and

WHEREAS, the soft drink and candy companies are now underwriting some of the extracurricular expenses in Hawaii schools; and

WHEREAS, it thus appears likely that both school children and school finances are now dependent on these unhealthy choices; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-first Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2002, the Senate concurring, that the Department of Education, and the Department of Health, in order to gradually introduce healthier snack choices to Hawaii school children, are urged to negotiate with the companies operating the vending machines on Hawaii school premises to provide at least one healthy juice (preferably vegetable juice, since it has a higher nutrient index and a lower cariogenic potential than fruit juice) and one healthy snack such as fresh fruit or trail mix in each machine; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Education is requested to submit a report to the Legislature by September 1, 2003, on progress made in negotiating healthier choices in the vending machines on Hawaii school premises; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Health, and the Superintendent, and the Chairperson of the Board of the Education.

 

 
 

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title:

Healthy Foods in Schools Dispensing Machines