NJ 9th lowest in obesity rate but getting heavier

TRENTON, N.J. - July 7, 2011

The annual report from the Trust for America's Health finds only seven states and Washington D.C. have lower obesity rates than New Jersey's 24 percent.

The bad news is that like most of the nation, New Jersey has gotten heavier quickly.

Its obesity rate has swollen by 90 percent in 15 years.

With its current obesity rate, it would have been the heaviest state back in 1995.

More than 3 in 5 New Jersey adults are overweight or obese.

The report does find New Jersey has joined several helpful health trends. Among them: Instituting healthier school lunch requirements and making streets safer for walking and biking.

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