Expressing support for designation of the week of October 29 through November 4, 2017, as "National Obesity Care Week".

Whereas the disease of obesity is a major source of concern across the United States, and more than one-third of adults in the United States are affected by obesity, with the number of people with severe obesity in the United States continuing to grow;

Whereas experts and researchers agree that obesity is a complex disease influenced by various physiological, environmental, and genetic factors;

Whereas, while prevention programs have successfully established the seriousness of the public health crisis posed by obesity, it is also imperative that individuals and families currently affected by obesity receive comprehensive care and treatment;

Whereas studies show that bias against and stigma associated with people affected by obesity among general society and healthcare professionals are significant barriers to effectively treating the disease;

Whereas healthcare professionals, policymakers, patients, and families should regard obesity with the same level of seriousness with which other chronic diseases are regarded;

Whereas research suggests that weight loss of as little as 5 to 10 percent of the total weight of an individual affected by obesity can improve the associated health risks affecting many patients living with obesity and can thereby support the goals of Federal and State initiatives to reduce chronic disease, improve health outcomes, and help control healthcare costs;

Whereas healthcare professionals should treat patients with respect and compassion and should partner with patients to develop comprehensive and individualized approaches to weight loss and weight management that consider all appropriate treatment options, such as reduced-calorie diets, physical activity modifications, pharmacotherapy, and bariatric surgery;

Whereas it will take a long-term collaborative effort, which will involve individual, corporate, and institutional partners in all fields taking active roles, to ignite the betterment of obesity care and treatment; and

Whereas the week of October 29 through November 4, 2017, would be an appropriate week to designate as National Obesity Care Week: Now, therefore, be it