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F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T

SPONSOR Campos

DATE

TYPED 2/02/05 HB

SHORT TITLE Study Ways To Improve Health Of Youth

SB SJM 2

ANALYST Hanika-Ortiz

APPROPRIATION

Appropriation Contained Estimated Additional Impact Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY05

FY06

FY05

FY06

See narrative

Relates to SB 10, School Health Education and Nutrition Act.

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Responses Received From

Public Education Department (PED)

Department of Health (DOH)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

SJM 2 requests the DOH and the PED collaborate in a study of methods to increase the physical

activity and improve the eating habits of youth. The departments are also requested to implement

those strategies that can be done administratively, and report to the appropriate interim legisla-

tive committee those strategies and recommendations that require approval or funding to imple-

ment.

Significant Issues

The legislature passed HM 28 in 2004, the Childhood Obesity Study, resulting in a report giving

specific recommendations on improving the eating habits and increasing the physical activity of

youths.

The DOH and PED in 2004 conducted a forum on physical activity and nutrition issues in the

schools. The results of that forum were published and adopted by several groups, including the

Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sport, New Mexico Action of Healthy Kids and the

Senate Joint Memorial 2 -- Page 2

New Mexico Chronic Disease Prevention Council. The document serves as the basis for many

of the recommendations made in the HM 28 study.

The DOH received a planning grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to

develop a state plan around obesity issues. These efforts show that nutrition and physical activity

clearly have a major impact on children – on their health, their ability to learn and on their poten-

tial to become healthy and productive adults. Research shows that good nutrition and physical

activity for students can lead to better academic performance, higher test scores and fewer be-

havioral problems while establishing lifelong healthy habits.

PERFORMANCE IMPLICATIONS

The PED reports improved physical activity and eating habits will impact public school perform-

ance measures and benchmarks regarding reading/language arts and math. Both address the per-

cent of students who achieve proficiency or above on criterion-referenced tests.

SJM 2 supports the DOH Strategic Plan, Prevention and Disease Control; Strategic Direction:

Improve the Health of New Mexicans; Objective 3: Improve the weight of adults and youth.

DOH performance measures include:

•

The number of WIC certifications that identify and refer children who are overweight or

at risk of overweight,

•

The number of New Mexicans involved in health care delivery who receive training on

promoting healthier weight in clinical settings and systems,

•

The number of CATCH (Coordinated Approach to Child Health) classes delivered in

New Mexico elementary school classrooms, and

•

The number of New Mexico County or Tribal Health Councils working with DOH to

improve weight of adults and youth.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The PED estimates 80 hours of staff time (Admin/Ops Manager @ $26/hour X 80 hours =

$2,080) plus copying and travel costs of approximately $200 to implement this study.

The DOH will implement activities required by SJM 2 with current staff and resources.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

PED reports the memorial can be accomplished with existing PED staff if the Physical Activity

and Nutrition Forum is utilized as the vehicle for conducting the study. The PED anticipates an

impact on the amount of time PED staff spends on technical assistance, leadership and support

for nutrition and physical activity.

DOH reports current staff and resources could support memorial’s objectives.

Senate Joint Memorial 2 -- Page 3

RELATIONSHIP

Relates to SB 10, School Health Education and Nutrition Act, which appropriates $50,000.00 for

a study of recommendations for current nutritional offerings in NM public schools, restricting the

sale of junk food, developing a curriculum for promoting healthy physical activity and assessing

the financial impact of the above on public schools.

TECHNICAL ISSUES

The DOH would like to see the specific legislative interim committee or timeframe identified in

the memorial for the reporting of results.

OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES

The DOH reports:

•

The increasing number of overweight children is related to lack of physical activity and

poor nutritional habits. Physical inactivity is intensified by television viewing and com-

puter games. Poor nutrition results from greater consumption of fast foods and sweet-

ened beverages. Studies report only 2% of children eat a diet consistent with federal nu-

trition recommendations and 35% are physically inactive.

•

In a 2003 survey 23% of New Mexican high school students are overweight or at risk for

overweight.

•

Long term consequences are real: overweight youth have a 70% to 80% chance of re-

maining overweight or becoming obese as adults. Twenty five percent of children ages 5

to 10 years have high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or other early warning signs for

heart disease.

•

The alarming development of type 2 diabetes in adolescents and young adults during the

past decade is mainly due to weight problems. Because this younger group will be living

with diabetes for a longer part of their lives, they will also be at increased risk for diabe-

tes complications such as heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, blindness and amputations.

Many thousands of cases of diabetes in NM could be prevented or postponed through

diet, exercise, and attaining a healthier weight.

•

In addition to diabetes, overweight children have more psychosocial distress, orthopedic

problems, liver disease,

sleep apnea, high blood pressure and asthma.

•

The economic burden of these chronic diseases is devastating to our state’s economy,

representing a high percentage of Medicaid dollars spent for health care services.

ALTERNATIVES

The PED recommend an alternative would be utilizing the reports from the 2004 HM 28 study

and the Physical Activity and Nutrition Forum of 2004 to guide the departments in implementing

strategies to increase physical activity and healthy eating habits.

Senate Joint Memorial 2 -- Page 4

WHAT WILL BE THE CONSEQUENCES OF NOT ENACTING THIS BILL.

The DOH reports school districts may continue to be without guidance from the state level when

setting nutrition and physical activity policy.

The PED reports the departments could utilize information from the 2004 HM 28 study and the

Physical Activity and Nutrition Forum of 2004 to guide them in implementing strategies to in-

crease physical activity and healthy eating habits.

AHO/sb