VA LAUNCHES NEW ANTI-OBESITY PROGRAM AIMED AT VETERANS --

IT'S CALLED MOVE - "MANAGING OVERWEIGHT

VETERANS EVERYWHERE"

"Alright, soldier!  Stomach in, chest out, chin up!"

VA press release here... http://www.vawatchdog.org/vapressrelease/vapressrelease05-12-06-2.htm

Story here... http://home.hamptonroads.com/stories/story.cfm?story=104402&ran=167779

Story below:

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VA launches anti-obesity campaign aimed at vets

By KATE WILTROUT, The Virginian-Pilot
© May 13, 2006

FORT MONROE - The nation's top veterans official unveiled a program here Friday to help severely overweight and obese veterans slim down.

Called MOVE - Managing Overweight Veterans Everywhere - it is directed at veterans who receive their primary health care from VA hospitals.

"The consequences of not keeping one's weight in check are severe," R. James Nicholson , the secretary of Veterans Affairs, said during a visit to the National Veterans Golden Age Games.

Treating high blood pressure and diabetes, often the result of obesity, is expensive, and the VA hopes to save money by having veterans slim down. The VA estimates that 70 percent of its patients are overweight, compared with 64 percent of the overall U.S. population. Nicholson said 20 percent of veterans treated by the VA are diabetic.

The centerpiece of the program is an online questionnaire - available at www.move.va.gov - asking veterans about their eating and exercise habits. Based on that, they receive a report with suggestions for lifestyle changes.

The Hampton VA Medical Center also has more intensive help available for veterans who qualify.

The first phase of Hampton's MOVE program began in March, said Michael Amundson , a licensed practical nurse and the medical center's MOVE committee chairman.

So far, 42 veterans are enrolled.

Referred to the program by their doctors, eligible veterans receive counseling on nutrition and fitness and then set goals for their weight loss. Amundson follows up with them to assess their progress.

A more intensive eight-week program, which will include weekly meetings with dieticians, social workers or fitness experts, is to begin next month.

# Reach Kate Wiltrout at (757)446-2629 or kate.wiltrout@pilotonline.com .

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Larry Scott

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