Obesity Targeted in U.S.
Posted on September 25, 2006
by Richard Johnson
With obesity and deadly diabetes at higher levels among America's veterans,the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Department ofVeterans Affairs (VA) have announced a coordinated campaign to educateveterans and their families about ways to combat these health issues.
"Central to our goal of controlling the cost of heath care is the promotionof wellness, fitness and the prevention of chronic disease," HHS SecretaryMike Leavitt said. "We are working to encourage Americans to adopt healthylifestyles and to take the responsibility for making wise choices toimprove their fitness and health."
Veterans are nearly three times as likely as the general population to havediabetes, one of the major complications associated with being overweight.According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and KidneyDisease (part of the National Institutes of Health), 7 percent of the U.S.population has diabetes. Among veterans receiving VA health care, the rateis 20 percent.
"Inactive lifestyles and unhealthy eating habits can cause needlesssuffering for America's veterans," VA Secretary R. James Nicholson said."Obesity and diabetes are major threats to the health and lifestyles of ourveterans, who are deserving of a robust campaign to educate them on healthyhabits."
In a news conference here today, Secretary Leavitt, VA Secretary Nicholson,VA Under Secretary for Health Dr. Jonathan B. Perlin and Surgeon GeneralRichard H. Carmona announced the start of a campaign called "HealthierUSVeterans" -- a multi-pronged educational effort to encourage healthy eatingand physical activity among veterans, their families and members of theircommunities. VA medical centers will be the hubs of the program where theywill promote nutrition and exercise with participating "Steps to aHealthier US" grantee organizations, throughout the country.
"Our service men and women are known for their extraordinarily high levelsof fitness," Dr. Perlin said. "We want our veterans to be identified thesame way."
Overweight patients receiving VA health care may participate in weight lossprograms tailored to their needs. They may also receive pedometers, dietadvisories and "prescriptions" suggesting how much to walk -- or, in thecase of wheelchair users, how much to roll.
The two secretaries also plan to kick off regional educational campaignsthis spring in four cities where VA medical centers and HHS Steps programscollaborate. Local celebrities and members of veterans' serviceorganizations will be invited to participate.
In May, the "HealthierUS Veterans" program will participate with thePresident's Council on Physical Fitness during the council's annual rallyin Washington.
Obesity in the US