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In their 2009 "State of the State" addresses, Texas Governor Rick Perry and New York Governor David Paterson each called for greater efforts in their respective states to address the childhood obesity epidemic.  While Governor Perry proposed an incentive-based program to encourage enhanced fitness programs in schools, Governor Paterson  announced a five-point plan to tackle obesity which includes a new revolving loan fund to increase the number of healthy food markets in underserved communities, as well as proposed bans on trans fats in restaurants and junk food sales in schools.

Below are excerpts from both addresses.   What has your Governor had to say about childhood obesity?  If the Governor of your state included childhood obesity in her or his "state of the state" address, let us know - e-mail Jubi Headley and we'll post it here. 

Texas Governor Rick Perry:

"As we consider ways to protect our citizens, I would ask you to consider if we’re doing enough to improve their lives. For example, Texas obesity rates are well above the national average and the negative effects are spreading.

Comptroller Combs and Commissioner Staples are right. If we don’t tackle this problem, not only will this generation of children be the first to have a shorter average lifespan than their parents, we will never get a handle on the costs of preventable diseases like diabetes, heart disease and even some forms of cancer.

Let’s address obesity where it will make the most difference, most quickly: with our schoolchildren. Texas should take the lead on testing an incentive-based fitness program like those gaining popularity in the workplace."

Click here to read the full transcript of Gov. Perry's address.

New York Governor David Paterson:

"While we have made some progress, we still incentivize the wrong care in the wrong setting at the wrong price.  Where we are overpaying for inpatient or institutional care, we must shift funding to primary, preventive and community-based care.  Preventing illness is a good investment.  It saves taxpayer money, improves patient care, and unburdens our economy.

This is why we should aggressively address the greatest threat to our children’s health today, the epidemic of obesity.  One out of every four New Yorkers under 18 years of age is obese.

Childhood obesity causes serious health problems including Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. The American Heart Association reports that obese children have blood vessels that look like they belong to 45 year olds.  These children have much greater risks of having heart attacks, suffering strokes, and losing  limbs.

Obesity not only blights our children’s futures — it creates a significant economic burden on our health care spending.  New York spends $6.1 billion each year to treat obesity-related health problems— the second-highest level of spending in the nation.

We can reduce childhood obesity — and we will.  Today, First Lady Michelle Paige Paterson and I are unveiling a comprehensive strategy to address this challenge.

Our five-point plan includes the Healthy Food/Healthy Communities Initiative, which offers a new revolving loan fund that will increase the number of healthy food markets in underserved communities.  We must also ban trans fats in restaurants, require calorie posting in chain restaurants, ban junk food sales in schools, and place a surcharge on sugared beverages like soda.

In February, the First Lady will roll out the Healthy Steps to Albany Initiative in five more cities across New York to encourage our children to eat right and to exercise.

By protecting our children from obesity, we protect their health and our health care system.  That is why this matters." 

Click here to read the full transcript of Gov. Paterson's address.

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