Bill Text: NJ AJR169 | 2018-2019 | Regular Session | Amended

New Jersey Assembly Joint Resolution 169 (Prior Session Legislation)

Bill Title: Designates the second week of October of each year as "Obesity Care Week" in NJ.

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2020-01-13 - Substituted by SJR125 (1R) [AJR169 Detail]

Download: New_Jersey-2018-AJR169-Amended.html

[First Reprint]

ASSEMBLY JOINT RESOLUTION

No. 169

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

218th LEGISLATURE

INTRODUCED OCTOBER 22, 2018

Sponsored by:

Assemblyman DAVID W. WOLFE

District 10 (Ocean)

Assemblywoman NANCY J. PINKIN

District 18 (Middlesex)

Co-Sponsored by:

Assemblyman Holley and Assemblywoman McKnight

SYNOPSIS

Designates the second week of October of each year as "Obesity Care Week" in NJ.

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

As amended by the General Assembly on December 16, 2019.

A Joint Resolution designating the second week of October of each year as "Obesity Care Week" in New Jersey.

Whereas, The disease of obesity is a major public health concern as 40 percent 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; and

Whereas, New Jersey's adult obesity rate is 27.4 percent, up from 17 percent in 2000 and 12.3 percent in 1995, according to "The State of Obesity: Better Policies for a Healthier America" study released in August 2017; and

Whereas, Experts and researchers agree that obesity is a complex disease influenced by various physiological, environmental, and genetic factors. Those affected by the disease are at higher risk of developing many other health-related conditions such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and some cancers; and

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 the disease receive comprehensive care and treatment; and

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; and

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

Whereas, Research suggests that weight loss of as little as five to ten 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; and

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; and

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, If the prevalence of obesity continues to increase at the current pace, nearly 50 percent of New Jersey adults are projected to be obese in 2030; now, therefore,

Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. The second week of October of each year is designated as "Obesity Care Week" in New Jersey to create awareness of the increasing prevalence of obesity, the devastating effects of obesity on people's lives, and to encourage greater action to help decrease the obesity rate in New Jersey and in the nation.

2. The Governor is respectfully requested to annually issue a proclamation recognizing the second week of October of each year as "Obesity Care Week" in New Jersey, and ¹[call] calling¹ upon public officials and the citizens of this State to observe the ¹[day] week¹ with appropriate activities and programs.