Last week, members of the House of Representatives Children’s Caucus established a bipartisan task force on childhood obesity. The task force will be led by Representative Ron Kind (D-WI), Marcia L. Fudge (D-OH), Patrick Tiberi (R-OH), and Dave Reichert (R-WA).

Over the next six to 12 months, the Task Force will host a series of briefings and events with national organizations to educate members of Congress, their staffers and the public on the multi-faceted ways to address childhood obesity. The mission of the task force is to raise awareness about the epidemic of childhood obesity and its impact on the health of future generations, encourage active participation by Congress and the president in the effort to decrease the prevalence of childhood obesity and increase preventative measures, and promote policies that educate the public with a specific focus on the needs of children and youth.

Rep. Kind is the lead author of a bill called Fitness Integrated with Teaching Kids Act (FIT Kids Act), which was re-introduced in the House in mid-March and was approved by that chamber on April 21. According to a summary by the American Heart Association, the FIT Kids Act would amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (No Child Left Behind) to ensure that kids are active during the school day and know how to stay healthy through diet and exercise.

As the Appleton Post Crescent reported in early April, Rep Kind has also proposed the “Healthy Choices Act,” which aims to increase affordability and access to healthy foods, update nutrition guidelines, provide more nutritious food in schools, and provide tax deductions for gym memberships and exercise equipment.

A recent commentary by Lex Tinker-Sackett, posted on FightingBob.com, provides a different perspective regarding the FIT Kids Act. He argues that child obesity won’t be solved by “personal responsibility”, but by an “all-out war on poverty.”

To read more about Rep. Kind’s views on reducing childhood obesity, see his Feb. 3, 2010 press release.