“The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) commends the United States Senate for passing the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act today.

“The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act makes significant progress toward ending child hunger and obesity by expanding access to federal child nutrition programs and improving the nutritional value they provide. In addition to reauthorizing federal child nutrition programs, the bill will address childhood obesity by reducing the fat and calorie content of school meals. The legislation also sets strict limits for the nutritional content of foods sold in school vending machines and other settings outside the school lunch and breakfast program—a major step toward healthier eating habits. For our youngest children, this bill would allow for healthier meals in child care.With one in four children in the United States struggling with hunger and one in three obese or overweight, this legislation could not come at a more critical time.

“The AAP urges the House to follow the Senate’s swift action on this bill and pass strong child nutrition legislation when Congress reconvenes in September. All children deserve a healthy future, which starts with access to healthy, nutritious meals every day.”

The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 60,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults. For more information, visit www.aap.org.