Nassau County is set to become the the latest downstate community to take up the battle of the bulge with a plan to pay a bounty for the county employee who loses the most weight, Newsday has learned.

County Executive Thomas Suozzi is set to announce Friday a 10-week contest with the winners receiving up to $300. The unions are providing prize money for their winners and Suozzi for unrepresented workers.

The contest dovetails with Suozzi's "Healthy Nassau" campaign, his effort to promote a clean environment and healthy living.

In December, The Board of Health for neighboring New York City voted to make Gotham the first city in the nation to ban artificial trans fats in restaurant food.

-- Amanda Barrett, amNY.com