Red, White and Big ; U.S. Obesity Rates on Rise, Including Jersey

Aug 29, 03:00 PM

Current Headlines: THE skinny is we're fat. A national study released Monday shows obesity rates have climbed in 31 states, including New Jersey. Not one state showed a decrease.

The study produced by Trust for America's Health ranks the obesity rates in each state and the District of Columbia. New Jersey ranks as the 40th-most-obese state. That may sound good, but it's not. Our obesity rate is 22.2 percent. Nearly a quarter of the state's adult population is obese. Mississippi tops the chart and tips the scales: 30.6 percent of its adults are obese.

The Jersey numbers are more troubling for children. We rank 26th- highest for overweight children, ages 10-17. Nearly 14 percent of our state's children are obese.

New Jersey sets higher nutritional standards for school lunches, breakfasts and snacks than the federal government requires. Yet the bottom line is that our children are not eating right and not exercising enough. No surprise that the study also found 27.3 percent of New Jersey adults do not engage in any physical activity.

Trust for America's Health wants more government intervention. That isn't going to help unless the government is going to make healthier foods cheaper than fast foods and persuade Americans to get off their couches and exercise. A national focus on physical fitness makes sense, but it does not need to take the form of legislation.

A renewal of the goals once inspired by the President's Council on Physical Fitness is a start. More public education about healthy eating habits and exercise perhaps a public service campaign with celebrities would help. Instilling sound eating habits in children will result in healthier adults.

However, too many adults are sedentary. The arena for health- conscious legislators is not the kitchen, but the planning board. Suburban neighborhoods should have sidewalks and crosswalks that make it easier and safer for walking. We need more green spaces in urban areas and more recreational activities for inner-city children. That means neighborhood policing should be a high priority.

Centuries ago, being overweight was a sign of prosperity. Now the opposite is true. The five poorest states were ranked in the top 10 for obesity.

As our nation discusses the rise in health care costs and how to best provide medical coverage for every citizen, it must also engage in a realistic discussion on how to shape up America.

We're losing the battle of the bulge.

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