SA 3679. Mr. KENNEDY submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill H.R. 2419, to provide for the continuation of agricultural programs through fiscal year 2012, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the appropriate place, insert the following:
SEC. __. CHILDHOOD OBESITY STUDY.
(a) Sense of the Senate.--It is the sense of the Senate that there needs to be a coordinated effort to understand the various factors which impact childhood obesity including the effect of the subsidization of commodities on Federal nutrition programs as well as the role of marketing in childhood obesity.
(b) Study.--
(1) IN GENERAL.--The Government Accountability Office shall--
(A) conduct a study to assess the effect of Federal nutrition assistance programs and agricultural policies on the prevention of childhood obesity, and prepare a report on the results of such study that shall include a description and evaluation of the content and impact of Federal agriculture subsidy and commodity programs and policies as such relate to Federal nutrition programs;
(B) make recommendations to guide or revise Federal policies for ensuring access to nutritional foods in Federal nutrition assistance programs; and
(C) complete the activities provided for under this section not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this section.
(2) INSTITUTE OF MEDICINE STUDY.--
(A) IN GENERAL.--Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall request that the Institute of Medicine (or similar organization) conduct a study and make recommendations on guidelines for nutritional food and physical activity advertising and marketing to prevent childhood obesity. In conducting such study the Institute of Medicine shall--
(i) evaluate children's advertising and marketing guidelines and evidence-based literature relating to the impact of advertising on nutritional foods and physical activity in children and youth; and
(ii) make recommendations on national guidelines for advertising and marketing practices relating to children and youth that--
(I) reduce the exposure of children and youth to advertising and marketing of foods of poor or minimal nutritional value and practices that promote sedentary behavior; and
(II) increase the number of media messages that promote physical activity and sound nutrition.
(B) GUIDELINES.--Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this section, the Institute of Medicine shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress the final report concerning the results of the study, and making the recommendations, required under this paragraph.


(As printed in the Congressional Record for the Senate on Nov 15, 2007.)