Designates the month of September as "National Obesity Awareness Month" in New Jersey.

SJR76

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION

No. 76

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

222nd LEGISLATURE

�

INTRODUCED FEBRUARY 2, 2026

Sponsored by:

Senator� 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

���� This joint resolution
designates the month of September of each year as �National Obesity Awareness
Month� in New Jersey to promote awareness of the problems associated with
obesity and encourage healthy living habits. The resolution requests the
Governor to issue an annual proclamation calling on public officials and the
citizens of New Jersey to observe the month with appropriate activities and
programs.

���� Obesity is a national epidemic
which can have adverse effects on peoples� health and economic well-being. The
percentage of New Jersey citizens who are considered obese has increased from
12.3 percent in 1995 to 25.6 percent in 2015; at the current rate of increase,
an estimated 48.3 percent of New Jersey adults will be obese by the year 2030.
Obesity is associated with increased risk of developing heart disease, stroke,
type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer.