Kara's Message to Congress about the IMPACT Act

Dear Representative Marshall,

Our nation is on of the most, if not the most, developed country in the world. Yet, we have the highest obesity rate? We have the resources. Eating disorders are also becoming a far too common problem. Why is that? People can get food. No one has to starve. America also has the highest depression rate of any other country, I believe. People can get therapy and medicine if they need it. Why can't we keep our citizens healthy?

It could have something to do with schools and after school programs not having enough P.E. and resces time. That the surgeon general recommends forty-five minutes of excersise a day, and most children don't get that in a week. If could be that fast food is far too accessable and a lot easier than cooking healthy meals. It could be that celebrities feel pressure to be stick thin, and today's youth feels pressure to look like celebrities. All of those things combine to lead to depression and other mental disorders. This great country of ours needs to take steps to promote health in youth.

We need to show the youth how to eat properly and get the recommended physical activity in a way that children and teens will want to do. We need to promote a healthy body image and higher self-esteem. The IMPACT Act would establish grants encouraging these groups to collectively develop solutions and would also provide much needed training for health professionals. I urge you to co-sponsor the IMPACT Act, HR 2677. With your leadership and vision, we can make sure that our youth lead healthy, fulfilling lives. The youth of today are the movers and shakers of tomorrow. They should be healthy, don't you think?

--Kara Thomas

Tell Congress to help people like Kara: http://capwiz.com/mobilize/issues/alert/?alertid=9909136