Weight loss programs

Good news for this fine Friday, another state is jumping on the anti-obesity bandwagon and actually taking a stand against it! That’s right, New Jersey has officially created an agency to battle against what they perceive to be one of the biggest threats to its collective health…obesity.

The new “Office of Nutrition and Fitness” has been officially sanctioned in an attempt to better coordinate programs to prevent obesity inside the state. Why does New Jersey, of all states, need this the most? How about the simple fact that of all the states in the United States, NJ has the highest percentage of overweight and obese children under the age of 5, at a startling 17.5%. According to Dr. Fred M. Jacobs, commissioner of the state Department of Health and Senior Services, “young people are a crucial target for the new agency because it’s easier to instill good diet and exercise habits to prevent obesity in the young than to reverse weight problems later; adults almost always gain back any weight they lose — and then some.”

The agency hopes that education, support groups, and actually encouraging physical activity rather than absolutely banning certain foods, television, or video games. Truthfully, I hope this works, and I hope every single state forms its own Anti-Obesity agency. For now, head over and read up on this one and see if there’s anything you can do with your own family to do this too!