Ag. Commissioner vows to fight childhood obesity

News 8 Austin
March 9, 2010

 AUSTIN-Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples spoke out Monday about the obesity problem that is affecting thousands Texas school children.

Staples said there's a crisis that's not only affecting those suffering from obesity, but other taxpayers as well. To combat the problem, Staples has started a couple of new programs.

First, he started the "Texans Bring It!" campaign.

According to Staples, the campaign is designed to engage youth to make decisions that will help them live healthy lives free from obesity-related illnesses.

Staples is also asking for all the mayors of Texas to help combat obesity.

He's proposing a new program that would allow children to be more involved during the summer while they're not at school.

"We're challenging the mayors of every community in Texas to help us raise the awareness of a summer program that is available to kids, and remember we're losing them during the summer. We have healthy nutritious meals and snacks at sites around the great state of Texas that children are eligible to just show up and they can receive it as a federal program that we administer," Staples said.

Staples said the program is expected to partner with facilities like city recreation departments, YMCAs, and Boys and Girls Clubs around the state

It's really up to individual Texans to change their own lifestyles, he added.

"No government program can be a substitute for personal responsibility," he said. "That's really the crisis stage that we're in Texas today. We lead the nation in children that are food insecure. We are a leader in the nation that are obese and overweight."

Staples also asked all Texans to remember what he called the three "E's": Education, Exercise and Eating Right. According to him, all three are critical components to making a difference.

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