NEW JERSEY COPS ■ AUGUST 2014
To Your Health
69
Grieving for a Hometown Hero
Families came together to make the process unique
Some people’s lives, perhaps even their
deaths, bring out the best in all of us. Inherent
goodness, selfless service and being and
doing what is right as a norm are part of the
American dream. Christopher Goodell may
have seemed at first glance to be an average
guy, a local law enforcement officer and
Marine, but he was actually an American
Cherie
hero.
Castellano
After 15 years of responding to tragic events
in my role as a crisis counselor at Cop 2 Cop,
Cop2Cop
I must admit that at times the events and
responses are blurred with trauma, tears, and
suffering. Never in my life have I experienced anything like
the line of duty death of Waldwick police officer Chris Goodell and the profound effect his one solitary life had on so
many.
When the call first came about Chris, my first thought was
“no not again” after the tragic loss of another heroic officer
four days prior in Jersey City. It was an accident; few details
were provided other than the need for assistance. As I followed my GPS to the beautiful town of Waldwick, I was
stunned to see a sign newly posted at the local high school
remembering the loss of Officer Goodell within hours of the
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What criteria determine obesity?
In 2008, 67 percent of U.S.
adults over 20 years of age – nearly 149 million people – were either
overweight or obese. For adults,
overweight and obesity are determined by using weight and height
to calculate a number called the body mass index (BMI), a gauge
of the proportion of body fat. BMI equals weight in kilograms
divided by height in meters squared (kg/m2) or weight in pounds
divided by height in inches squared, times 703 ((lbs/in2) × 703).
•
An adult with a BMI between 25 and 29.9 is considered overweight
•
An adult with a BMI of 30 or higher is considered obese
Surprisingly, more than 75 percent of first responders are overweight or obese, by BMI criteria. A survey of law enforcement officers (LEOs) in a Midwestern police department found that the
percentage who were overweight or obese exceeded levels found
in the general population of the same area.
What are the risks?
All overweight and obese adults 18 or older with a BMI greater
than 25 are considered at risk for developing many serious health
conditions including hypertension, high blood cholesterol, heart
disease, stroke, diabetes and some types of cancer, including
Highlight Health
endometrial, breast, prostate and colon cancers.
Why are first responders particularly vulnerable?
Some of the observed prevalence of overweight and obesity
among LEOs is due to the unpredictable nature of their work
schedule, with fast food often the only feasible choice for on-thejob meals. Night shift work can also adversely affect eating behavior, causing some LEOs to consume meals with high levels of fat
and carbohydrates.
Can obesity and its complications be prevented?
Obesity is one of the most important modifiable risk factors for
the prevention of type II diabetes and heart disease. Programs
that emphasize lifestyle modification through better diet and regular physical activity have been shown to improve the overall
wellness and fitness of first responders. A study designed to assess
the effectiveness of a health and fitness program among 1,504
police trainees observed a reduction in percentage of body fat and
a significant improvement in cardiovascular fitness (aerobic
power), general muscular strength and flexibility.
Recommendations for preventing obesity include:
•
Exercising regularly, aiming to achieve 150 to 250 minute