According to the CDC, obesity affects more than 40 percent of the American population. Bay Pines VA recognizes the long-term effects obesity plays on Veterans, which is why there are multiple VA programs to help them combat obesity through weight management, like the MOVE! Weight Management Program.
MOVE! assists Veterans with achieving meaningful weight loss to help improve their health and reduce their risk for chronic health conditions. It features a comprehensive lifestyle intervention that helps support changes to their eating habits, an increase in physical activity and goal setting.
“We offer one-on-one dietitian services with every Primary Care Aligned Care Team,” said VA dietitian Sadie Baird. “This approach gives the Veteran a more customizable goal for weight management. We also have our MOVE! Weight Management Program.”
Going beyond telling people what to eat
Baird continued: “MOVE! has two programs. The first one is a 16-week program that is dietitian led, and they meet once a week for about an hour with a group of Veterans. The discussions go beyond telling people what to eat; it addresses the barriers to meeting their goals while also setting goals that are realistic.
“The second one is a TeleMove! program, which is facilitated at the Veteran’s own pace. They work one-on-one with a TeleMOVE! coach. Veterans are asked to weigh themselves every day and answer a series of questions to gauge participation.”
Maintaining a healthy weight could help Veterans feel better and have more energy. It could also help prevent or mange chronic diseases and conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, cholesterol problems, heart disease, gallbladder disease, arthritis, sleep apnea and some types of cancer.
Weight loss may see medications reduced or removed
“There are lots of benefits to getting your weight down. A big driver for many Veterans is that they are frustrated with the number of medications they have to take. It is not uncommon when it comes to weight loss to see some of those medications reduced or removed all together,” Baird added. “All of our appointments are self-scheduled. All you have to do is call your local VA clinic and tell them you would like to schedule an appointment with nutrition or dietitian. If the Veteran does not want to do that, they can always talk to their primary care doctor for a referral.”
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At 6’4″ the height/weight standards are way off base. While in the ARMY I always maxed the PT test but was always hounded about being overweight. When tested I had 10% body fat. I retired in ’95 and since my heart attack in 2019 I’ve put on weight, My knees, hips and back are shot..It hurts to walk. The stationary bike is no better. One day of light yard work is two in pain. I consume 1,000-1,200 calories a day. That allows me to maintain my weight but not loose any. I’ve done the VA deal..same story eat less excersize more. It may work for the guys retiring now. But not much good for us older veterans.
Question – Is there an “in house” treatment option? When I was in the Navy I went to ARC in Miramar CA (Alcoholic Rehab Center), in addition to AA they also treated drug users (NA) and overeaters (OA). It was a real good program….they hardly spent time on the on diet though, it was more focused on treating what’s driving the substance abuse – it was great, I went straight from that back to the boat and off to Desert Shield/Storm – I kept the program going well until I got home on leave and found the fridge in the middle of the night :-(
Hey Jason (who hit a plateau) If you can use a dry sauna you will be surprised how that may help! its not the water weight you sweat off but rather the energy your body burns cooling itself off! check it out – you burn more calories in a sauna than most exercises – Gotta do the PT to keep in shape but the sauna is a great way to break though the plateaus! I do it for at least 15 – 20 min at a time x 2, every day I can…but it takes time to get used to that much, need to build up to it – give it a try Brother!
I’ve been working on MOVE meticulously for years and I’m stuck at plateau. I’ve began fasting against MOVE advise. I’ve added more steps to my day and record my meals everyday at 1500 Cal. My BMI is raised to obese. O do not know where to go from here
I also did the MOVE Program twice and it didn’t help either. I think a more physical “yoga style” exercise would be more effective.
Of course diet control should also be emphasized and part of the program.
Thanks for asking.
Is the VA considering the use of drugs, like Wegovy for Veterans?
Yes, I’m on the wait list for Wegovy.
I did the MOVE program. I wasn’t impressed. It didn’t really help. i want a program to help me make dishes that taste good and what to look for when I’m shopping. I grew up with a mom who fried everything and I try to change that but I’m tired of eating the samething over and over. I want something new.
If the VA is serious about weight management, it would approve semaglutide therapy for vets
any advice on weight loss is appreciated.
Is this program also available to my spouse?
I’m 83 and. Weight 213 lb I got an appointment with the dieation 4 24 is this diferent
I understand the importance of weight control and good health. I want to know why the VA does not offer Silver Sneakers to retired personnel. If it were, I believe a lot more veterans would be able to control their weight and remain healthy.
There would be fewer trips to VA clinics or hospitals.