| AN ACT |
to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, Chapter 8, Part 2a, which reduces the availability of snack machines in all elementary, middle and high schools in the state of Tennessee. |
BE IT ENACTED BY THE 2009 TENNESSEE 4-H CONGRESS:
SECTION 1: The general assembly recognizes that obesity rates among children in the state of Tennessee continues to steadily increase, and that the occurrences of obesity in children is directly related to the amount and types of foods children eat.
SECTION 2: Obesity is linked to a larger increase of chronic health conditions and accounts for a significantly higher amount of health expenditures than those associated with smoking, alcoholism or poverty.
SECTION 3: During the past three decades, the rate of obese children, age 12-19 has increased from 5% to 17%. 41% of all students are “at risk” of being overweight.
SECTION 4: Childhood obesity results from an energy imbalance; in other words, eating too many calories and not getting enough physical activity.
SECTION 5: The general assembly believes it is imperative to act now to combat high rates of obesity in Tennessee’s youth. This act requires schools to:
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work with vendors to replace vending machines foods of limited nutritional value with healthier choices, |
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provide water, flavored milk, in resealable containers, and 100% fruit juice as a la carte choices in place of less nutritious beverages, |
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limit all vending machine purchases and access to other competitive foods until after the end of the last lunch period in senior high schools, |
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limit all vending machine purchases and access to other competitive foods until 1 hour after the end of the last lunch period in middle and junior high schools. |
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SECTION 6: This act shall become effective upon passage by the legislature and approval by the Governor or upon its otherwise becoming a law.
| Passed: _____________________ |
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Speaker of the Senate
Tennessee 4-H Congress |
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Speaker of the House of Representatives
Tennessee 4-H Congress
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Approved: ___________________ |
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Governor
Tennessee 4-H Congress
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