2865 If your kids are fat, blame Bush

The latest report about obesity in children has some clues about who is to blame. It isn't genes; it isn't choice; it isn't TV advertising. It isn't even fast food. It's the government. And that, as we all know, means Bush.

This was in my mailbox from Rueters:

"There was a national campaign called VERB done by CDC and the federal government to increase children's awareness of being physically active," he added. "That was shown to be effective in doing those things but then it ceased to be funded."

The program ends this month."

And this from the same article:

"Many parents have complained that testing requirements, budget crunches and other factors have caused schools to drop recess and physical education -- two important opportunities for children to get exercise.

"From my perspective as a physician and public health professional ... I'd have to say we should not remove physical activity from the school day," Koplan said.

"You put a group of 8-year-olds together sitting in a chair all day and ...they, like us, will lose concentration," he said."


"Federal funding for Verb was $125 million in 2001, $68 million in 2002, $51 million in 2003, $36 million in 2004 and $59 million in 2005. At press time, the House had proposed $11.2 million for Verb in the fiscal year 2006 budget, while the U.S. Senate had proposed no funding at all. According to the 2006 budget justification released by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the “budget request reflects the elimination” of Verb, noting that the program was originally authorized for five years in 2001. However, Congress can reauthorize Verb funding if it desires or simply continue appropriating funds for the program." Nation's Health.