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

References:

1. USDHHS and USDA. 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. 8th Edition. Dec 2015.
2. Physical Activity, CDC. 3/12/21.
3. Overweight and Obesity Statistics. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Jul 2017.