SPRINGFIELD, IL-Legislation sponsored by State Senator William Delgado (D-Chicago) has been signed into law by Governor Pat Quinn that will help to prevent an obesity epidemic in Illinois. House Bill 3767 creates the Obesity Prevention Initiative Act which will require the Department of Public Health to conduct 6 hearings on the health effects of obesity, the costs of obesity to the health care system and the need to address the obesity epidemic with community. 

“We have to do something in Illinois to help get the public healthier,” said Delgado, Chairman of the Senate Public Health Committee.  “Obesity puts people at risk for heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, hypertension and respiratory problems that can all be prevented by losing weight and getting healthy.”

According to the Department of Public Health an estimated 25% of adults in Illinois are obese and 37% are overweight.  Moreover, approximately 31% of children in Illinois between the ages of 10-17 are deemed overweight or obese. Obesity and obesity-related diseases lead to premature death.

A group recently created in Springfield, Illinois by Dr. Kemia Sarraf called Generation H (Generation Healthy) is designed to create a comprehensive health program to improve nutrition in schools and help students to become more physically active. 

“This is a program we can take and model in schools throughout the State to help students learn about proper nutrition and why they must stay physically active,” said Delgado.