Body Mass Index (BMI)

Everywhere in the U.S., books are added. Americans are heavier. The numbers tell the story, and that are not pleasant.

In the eighth edition of "F as in Fat: How Obesity threatens the future of America 2011," released Thursday, the numbers are staggering: more than 61 percent of New Jersey adults are obese or overweight. In Pennsylvania, the number is 64 percent.

An overweight adult is defined as one with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more based on the relationship between weight and height. An overweight person has a BMI of 25 to 29.9. (To determine your BMI, divide your weight in pounds by your height in inches squared. Multiply the number by 703 to give you the IMC).

Pennsylvania ranks 19th among the states by the number of obese adults, 41 of New Jersey is the ninth of the least obese.

However, only a difference of 4.4 per cent in figures for comparing the two. In New Jersey, 24.1 percent of the adult population is obese, an increase of 90 percent in the last 15 years. In Pennsylvania, the figure is 28.5 percent, an increase of 76 percent.

"Today, the state would be the rate of the lowest adult obesity (Colorado) had growth rates higher in 1995," said Jeff Levi, executive director of the Fund for America's Health Washington, who reported the study of obesity with the latest Robert Wood Johnson Foundation in Princeton.

The report also shows that obesity is greater for minorities than whites - 35 percent of blacks and Latinos and blacks in Pennsylvania, New Jersey. Latinos in New Jersey was significantly lower in obesity is 26.8 percent.

The number of obese people of all races decreased by increasing education and income. However, 21.5 percent of college graduates or technical nationwide are overweight, which is 25 percent of those earning over $ 50,000 per year.

The data for individual countries, each country was not available, the report said the spokesman, Albert Lang

"Too many Americans eat too many foods, especially with an excess of calories and few nutrients. We do not get enough physical activity and spend too much time in our cars and in front of our various digital displays," he said David Satcher, former Surgeon General, in an essay accompanying the report.

Although this year's report does not focus on children, it is said that the latest information on rates of obesity for young people aged 10-17 shows that 15 percent of children in both countries are obese. A third of children are obese or overweight.

In an item of good news, the report says that the "number of obese children and adolescents may have stabilized since 1999, except in very heavy children 6 to 19 years."

The report says the health problems associated with weight gain.

Diabetes and hypertension are increasing in both countries and throughout the country. Higher cases of heart disease, stroke and cancer is also linked to the Americans are heavier.

The report outlines the government's efforts to teach residents the importance of a healthy diet and exercise to maintain a healthy weight and lifestyle.

For example, New Jersey, school meals is the standard that is stricter than the USDA requires. Even in New Jersey, is a "Complete Street" laws that are "in a way designed for all users - cyclists, pedestrians, drivers and public transport users - to use them safely," the report said.

Pennsylvania has no such requirements statewide, the report said.

But in Pennsylvania requires a BMI screening and assessment focus of other children and young people, like 20 other states, but not New Jersey.

Bucks County Health Department, a nurse supervisor Grace Sinclair said that the county offers nutritional counseling for new mothers and their children in nurseries, through Title 5 state-funded Maternal and Child Health Block Grant program.

"We're going out of daycare (s) in pre-school (TO) to teach children about good foods and bad, so good choices," says Sinclair.

Funded by the federal government for women, infants and children program (WIC) provides food vouchers and nutrition counseling financial, medical or nutritional benefits to mothers at risk.

In Burlington and Bucks counties, a total of 12,000 pregnant women, nursing mothers and children up to age 5 who are at nutritional risk receive WIC coupons to buy healthy foods, both in stores and farmers markets on the list.

The vouchers cover only foods that are approved by WIC for their nutritional benefits.

'Evaluation of nutrition and education is what sets us apart from other scholarship programs food, "said Mary Wolf, manager of WIC public health programs for the county of Bucks.

Mothers also receive additional financial incentives to WIC breastfeeding their children, as the federal program offers a year of maternity benefits to women who breastfeed for six months against those who formula feed their babies. Parents receive vouchers for children up to 5 years.

"Their diet has a higher value if they are breastfeeding. WIC is committed to breastfeeding, "says Wolf.

Dr. Deepti Das, director of the Burlington County WIC program, said those comments. Pregnant women attending the classes of information on breastfeeding and meet a lactation consultant.

"We're really trying to promote breastfeeding," she said.

As part of its services, WIC helps educate clients about proper nutrition. Das said that pregnant women receive food stamps to better meet their health needs and food.

Wolf said that new mothers are advised that children should not have more than 6 ounces of juice a day, use whole grain breads and beans are a good source of protein and fiber. It gives recipes for nutritious meals.

WIC mothers understand "why it is important" to guide their children to good food, Wolf said.

"It's a mindset," he said.

Thr Burlington County Health Department is trying to solve the problem of obesity through its county-funded program of health education. Two health educators visit schools and businesses to offer free presentations on nutrition and exercise.

Topics for the presentations of the company is up to management to allow workers to take the time to exercise, and "to prepare food at home", instead of buying fast food. Serving Size is also discussed. Health educator John Sivon said he urges employees when dining out to eat half a meal and take the rest home.

"Now you have two meals," said Sivon.

County also sponsors a competition for students called "Top Chef", where they come up with recipes that use healthy ingredients. The 10 winners will compete in the county cook-off.

"Kids love it," said Sivon.

The report on obesity recommends continued support from state agencies and federal policy makers and industry food and drink to fight the epidemic of overweight.