State Senator Josh Green (D-Kona, Kau), today announced a package of bills intended to address the epidemic of childhood obesity in Hawaii.

“Childhood obesity has a terrible human cost,” Green said. “It can lead to diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer, and other deadly diseases. We cannot stand by and do nothing while our children are getting sicker and their lives are getting shorter, so today I am declaring war on childhood obesity.”

Green, a practicing physician and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, is proposing a variety of measures to combat childhood obesity in Hawaii, including legislation that would require public schools to offer healthier beverage choices to students allowing only milk and juice to be served during school hours, a ban on the use of harmful trans fats in schools, and a measure that would allow a tax exemption for fresh fruits and vegetables. …

On Wednesday, February 6 the Senate Committee on Health will hear legislation proposed by the Governor that would establish a fee on sugar-sweetened beverages and a Special Fund on Obesity Prevention under the Department of Health. …

Photo courtesy richard_north.