Bill Text: NJ AJR120 | 2016-2017 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Designates the month of September as "National Obesity Awareness Month" in New Jersey.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2017-06-22 - Received in the Senate, Referred to Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee [AJR120 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2016-AJR120-Introduced.html
No. 120
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
217th LEGISLATURE
INTRODUCED SEPTEMBER 19, 2016
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman BENJIE E. WIMBERLY
District 35 (Bergen and Passaic)
SYNOPSIS
Designates the month of September as "National Obesity Awareness Month" in New Jersey.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Joint Resolution designating the month of September as "National Obesity Awareness Month" in New Jersey.
Whereas, Obesity is a national epidemic; more than one-third (36.5 percent) of adults in the United States are medically defined as obese; and
Whereas, The epidemic of obesity results in detrimental effects on the health and economic well-being of individuals and on the society as a whole; and
Whereas, Obesity-related conditions include heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer which are some of the leading causes of preventable death; and
Whereas, In 2008, the estimated annual medical cost of obesity in the United States was $147 billion and the medical costs for people who are obese were $1,429 higher than for people of normal weight; and
Whereas, New Jersey's adult obesity rate is currently 25.6 percent, which is 39th in the nation, according to "The State of Obesity: Better Policies for a Healthier America" released in September 2016; and
Whereas, The number of adults in New Jersey who are obese has increased dramatically in the last twenty-two years. The current rate of 25.6 percent is up from 17.0 percent in 2000 and from 12.3 percent in 1995; and
Whereas, If the prevalence of obesity continues to increase at the current pace, nearly half (48.6 percent) of New Jersey adults will be obese in 2030; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. The month of September is designated as "National Obesity Awareness Month" in the State of New Jersey to create awareness of the epidemic of obesity and the devastating effects of obesity on people's lives, and to encourage healthy living habits which decrease obesity in New Jersey and in the nation.
2. The Governor is requested to annually issue a proclamation calling upon public officials and citizens of this State to observe "National Obesity Awareness Month" with appropriate activities and programs.
3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
Obesity is a national epidemic which is costly to people's health and to their economic well-being. Over 25 percent of New Jersey's citizens are obese, and this number is growing each year. In 1995, only 12.3 percent of New Jersey citizens were defined as obese.
It is imperative that the State and the nation focus on this growing epidemic and therefore, it is appropriate to draw attention to obesity and its related problems through designating September as "National Obesity Awareness Month" in New Jersey.
