April 12, 2007

Suozzi Announces "Biggest Loser" Weight-Off Competition for County Workers

Employees Who Lose Most Weight Win Prizes in "Healthy Nassau" Initiative to Increase Health Awareness

Mineola, N.Y. - As part of his “Healthy Nassau” campaign to promote fitness and health, Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi today announced the “Biggest Loser” Weight-Off, a 10-week weight-loss competition for County workers.

The “Biggest Loser” Weight-Off is actually three competitions in one: one among the members of the police unions, one for CSEA members and one for all other County employees. The three employees from each group who lose the most weight, as a percentage of their initial weight, will win cash prizes. The three First Prize winners receive $300, Second Prize is $200 and the Third Prize winners take home $100.

“This is a fun way to bring awareness to a very important issue,” Suozzi said. “We’ve all heard it a million times – if you want to be healthy, eat right and exercise. But unfortunately, not enough people are getting the message. The ‘Biggest Loser’ Weight-Off Competition will spread that message, while getting our employees on track to a healthier lifestyle.”

The competition is sponsored by the police unions, the CSEA and by Suozzi, who is putting up the money for any non-union winners. Competitors must sign up and get weighed next week, and the final weigh-in takes place in late June. (See below for more details.)

Healthy Nassau, Suozzi’s campaign to make Nassau the healthiest county in the nation, builds upon existing initiatives and adds new ones in order to sustain a healthy environment (focusing on air, land and water), while encouraging healthy living (tending to bodies, minds and spirits). Along with the “Biggest Loser” Weight-Off Competition, Healthy Nassau initiatives include: seeking a ban on trans fats and putting calorie counts on menus, working with other large municipalities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and explore mass transit options; continuing to preserve the County’s remaining open space; operating an organic farm at Old Bethpage Village Restoration and seeking a state-authorized increased cigarette tax to discourage smoking.