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The American Diabetes Association applauds the U.S. Senate for passing the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act today.  This passage makes way for the House of Representatives to vote to reauthorize federal nutrition programs, which are scheduled to expire September 30, 2010.

The Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act will give schools the resources to provide healthy meals to students through the school lunch program and remove junk foods and high calorie beverages from school vending machines and a la carte lines.  The bill will expand access to healthy foods for low-income women, infants and children. 

The diabetes epidemic looms large over our youth as one in three American children faces a life with diabetes if current trends continue.  And while obesity and being overweight are major risk factors for type 2 diabetes, the good news is that studies have shown that eating a healthy diet can help prevent or delay type 2 diabetes.  This legislation will give schools the tools to provide the nutritious food needed to put us on track to reverse these trends.

'The American public is traveling into unchartered territory.  Never before have we seen this many cases of type 2 diabetes in children and young adults,' said Christine T. Tobin, RN, CDE, President Health Care & Education, American Diabetes Association.  'But there are actions we can take to stop the diabetes epidemic.  Today the Senate took an important step by passing the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act.  We strongly urge the House of Representatives to pass their version of the bill, the Improving Nutrition for America’s Children Act, when they return to Washington in September.  The future of our country is at stake.'