Poll: Does Santa Need a Healthier Lifestyle?

He's jolly. He's red. He comes out once a year around this time. And he's big.

But is he unhealthy? Does he need to change his habits?

Count the Association of NJ Chiropractors among those who believe he needs a lifestyle overhaul.

"It is imperative that in order for Santa to be healthy enough to fulfill his mission of delivering children’s favorite toys and goodies on his sleigh all over the world for many more centuries to come, he needs to start treating his body better and that means making some healthy choices, with a chiropractic adjustment the perfect place to start,” Dr. Joseph D’Angiolillo, president of the group headquartered in Branchburg, said in a release.

The association also said that, based on observances of the abuse done to his physical being over the centuries, it has determined that jolly old St. Nick may be in danger of suffering from the following lower back and neck problems:

• Lower back pain caused by obesity, sedentary lifestyle and lifting a bag filled with tons of toys.
• Back and neck pain caused from tossing the bag of toys over his shoulder.
• Knee strain from climbing down chimneys and crouching in his sleigh.

Along with other tips, the group believes Santa needs to "follow a year-long exercise program," "make sure to bend his knees when attempting to lift these packages," and "equally distribute the weight he carries between both arms." The groups said "Santa’s big belly is the worst culprit, as it puts unwanted pressure on the muscles, ligaments and tendons in his lower back."

So, do you agree? Will a healthier Santa make for a more effective, longer lasting jolly ol' elf? Or is Santa not himself without the "bowl full of jelly?" Let us know what you think in our poll, then tell us why you voted the way you did in the comments.