LOS ANGELES (AP) — Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Wednesday weighed in on California's pricey battle with obesity, calling for the elimination of sugary "sports drinks" in schools and more vigorous physical activity during and after school.
Alongside former President Bill Clinton, who underwent heart surgery to open a clogged artery this month, Schwarzenegger discussed solutions to the obesity crisis at a summit of leaders in the public and private sectors of health care in Los Angeles.
"I'm very proud that the state of California is the first state that has banned soda from vending machines in public schools," said Schwarzenegger, a former champion bodybuilder. "Now we're going to get rid of these sports drinks that are full of sugar and make our kids overweight."
In a spate of bills announced Wednesday and sponsored by the Republican governor, California will target child obesity by reducing access to sugar while increasing physical activity.
One bill would increase moderate to vigorous activity in physical education classes, mandating that at least 50 percent of class time be spent exercising. After-school programs are being asked to lead students in at least 30 minutes of physical activity.
Another bill calls for improved access to fresh drinking water while banning sugary "sports drinks" from California public schools. Schwarzenegger said 40 percent of all schools in California do not have drinking fountains near food service areas and will need to provide access to fresh water by 2012.
School districts in San Francisco, Oakland and Berkeley have already banned electrolyte replacement drinks from their middle and high schools.
Another bill calls for more flexibility in joint-use grants in communities seeking funds to expand physical activity in children and adults by providing them with safe recreation areas, parks, bike lanes, trails and public pools.
In California, approximately one in nine children, one in three teens and three in five adults are overweight or obese. The annual health care costs statewide associated with being obese, overweight and physically inactive increased from $22 billion in 2000 to $41 billion in 2006, according to the California Center for Public Health Advocacy.
Clinton said that obesity-related health problems cost Medicaid more than $150 billion every year.
"I believe until we get a hold of our lifestyles and our food chain, and how we eat and how we exercise, we're going to have serious, serious problems," he said.
Earlier this month, Clinton was hospitalized to open a clogged artery after he felt discomfort in his chest. Clinton had quadruple bypass surgery more than five years ago, and says poor eating habits from his childhood contributed to his problems as an adult.
"Most of my adult life I ran 20 to 25 miles a week," said Clinton. "The problems I deal with now deal with most of the things I did as a child."
Similar discussions have been credited with producing state legislation that helps people avoid weight gain.
In 2011, restaurant chains with 20 or more locations will be required to post calorie information on their menus and indoor menu boards. Vending machine operators will also be required to stock their machines with 35 percent healthy foods and 33 percent healthy beverages.
