Jenkinson’s Boardwalk

Point Pleasant Beach

Thursday, July 30

11 am

(Editor’s Note:  Photo Op: Commissioner Heather Howard will meet with children on the beach who will be exercising; Celebrity Chef Diane Henderiks (Dietitian in the Kitchen) will make fruit smoothies and nutritious dips; NJ Devil alumni players Bruce Driver and Grant Marshall; and Meridian Health mascot Dr. Bernard (the doctor dog)

Commissioner Howard will join the state’s leading nutrition and fitness advocates at 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 30 at Jenkinson’s Boardwalk, 300 Ocean Avenue, in Point Pleasant to announce a new public-private partnership to reduce obesity.

The event, Nutrition and Fitness Awareness Day, will feature nutrition screenings, exercises and nutrition games for kids, demonstrations on how to prepare healthy foods, and tabletop displays about health and fitness programs.

Obesity is a serious public health problem that puts children and adolescents at greater risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension.  It also increases the cost of health care.

To reduce obesity rates, the Office of Nutrition and Fitness (ONF) of the Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) has brought together approximately 100 organizations whose mission is to coordinate statewide efforts that enable people to eat better, be active and live healthier lives.

These businesses, agencies and nonprofits include the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the Academy of Pediatrics/PCORE, UMDNJ, the Medical Society of NJ, the NJ Food Council, NJ Dietetic Association, NJ Hospital Association and the WIC Program.  They will focus on six target areas established by the CDC.

Click here for directions and parking instructions