New Jersey is the richest state in the U.S. it ranks third as the state with the greatest number of wealthy counties:  Bergen County ranks as number 33 in a recent list of the wealthiest counties in the nation. How then, with all of its affluence and its highly sophisticated and educated population is it possible that a substantial segment of our residents suffer from extreme poor health in the form of profound obesity? Isn’t this level of obesity a manifestation of poor education, and likely associated with low income and a substandard awareness of health and the role of proper nutrition? How in this fancy, elegant, county can this problem exist? But it surely does, and that is a sad and dangerous reality.

Obesity is an epidemic in our county, perhaps less than in some areas, but the issue is far too prevalent here and nationwide. Any degree of obesity is associated inherently with a laundry list of physical health and emotional/social concerns, including full-body inflammation, elevated blood pressure, coronary artery disease, lung disease, arthritis/joint pain, diabetes, stroke, atrial fibrillation, fatigue/exhaustion, inability to exercise, cancer (due to inflammation), irregular menses in women, low testosterone in men, erectile dysfunction, sleep apnea, low self-esteem loss of independence, low libido, vulnerability to ridicule, absenteeism from work and lower earnings/lesser job opportunities.

Most people are aware that overweight is not good for you, but knowing and doing something about it are two entirely different entities. Something should, and in fact, MUST be done. The extreme version of overweight is called “morbid obesity”. In medical terms, this means being two times of greater than one’s normal healthy chart weight, so even though any considerable degree of overweight can cause the listed health problems and more, clearly those who suffer from morbid obesity are a an especially enormous risk proportionate to the degree of their excessive weight.

A group of concerned professional has gathered now to put together a challenge to Bergen County residents, tentatively called the Bergen Weight-Loss Challenge. Drawing together a number of specialists in their fields, the plan is to identify a group of people in very serious, even extreme, need of guidance and education in nutrition, helping them to take affirmative actions toward achieving a normative weight status.

As envisioned, we would like this group to consist of (but not be limited to) a physician, psychologist, pharmacist, physical therapist/personal trainer, supplier of wholesome/nutritional meals, life coach, medical lab, supplier of supplements, mindfulness guide, cardiologist and perhaps a beauty salon,. This group and others will all provide needed materials, time and support to enable several identified Bergen residents who suffer with morbid obesity to allow them to begin their respective weight-loss journeys successfully with all of the necessary tools, physical and emotional support, and motivation.

We need help from each and every person who reads this article and those you know to ask about how you can each support this critically important project: Ask yourself this: Can you think of a service that you can offer or contribute? Do you qualify to be a participant in this challenge or do you know someone amongst your friends, family, at your workplace a member of a club or the congregation at your place of worship who might qualify for this program? Would you be willing to pledge any amount towards the individual candidates to motivate them towards their respective program goals?

If you in fact have a person in mind who you think could benefit from this opportunity, please email our contact information to them or have them download a printable application from our Facebook page.  Or send them one today while you remember to do so. If you or anyone interested have any input, ideas, questions, or suggestions, please post them on our FB page, or email them to [email protected].

Importantly, the goal here is not only to help several selected participants to lose significant weight and keep it off, and learn how to eat properly going forward, but also to raise obesity awareness county-wide, to inspire others who follow along with the contest as it progresses to seek their own healthiest weight and come to appreciate the importance of weight control in achieving optimal health and happiness in life.

This program is supported by Robin Ellen Leder, M.D.; Tara Ramos, personal trainer/physical therapist; John Bellitti, owner of HB Pharmacy; and Anil Singh, owner of Natural Awakenings magazine.