Objectives
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*Figures shown are a mix of counts, percentages, rates, and ratios. Click the Objective statement for more information about the corresponding measure.


Health professionals recognize the benefits associated with a healthy eating plan based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Proper nutrition promotes the optimal growth and development of children. A healthy diet also helps reduce the risks for many health conditions.1 Regular physical activity helps improve a person's overall health and fitness, and reduces the risk for many chronic diseases.2
A person whose weight is higher than what is considered as a normal weight adjusted for height is described as being overweight or having obesity.3 Body Mass Index (BMI) is the weight-to-height ratio most commonly used to estimate and screen for overweight and obesity. Overweight is defined as a BMI of 25 or higher; obesity is defined as a BMI of 30 or higher.
For more information, please refer to these resources:
- NJ Office of Nutrition and Fitness
- NJ Student Learning Standards: Comprehensive Health and Physical Education
- NJ Safe Routes to Schools
- NJ School Nutrition Programs
- NJ Child Health Study
- CDC Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity
- NIH Weight Management
- Healthy People 2020: Nutrition and Weight Status
- Healthy People 2020: Physical Activity
- USDHHS and USDA. 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. 8th Edition. Dec 2015.
- Physical Activity, CDC. 3/12/21.
- Overweight and Obesity Statistics. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Jul 2017.