National Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
HealthPOWER! Prevention News Winter 2015: Oklahoma MOVE Team Promotes Obesity Awareness
Health in Motion: Oklahoma MOVE!® Team Promotes Obesity Awareness
It’s not often that a State Health Commissioner visits a MOVE!® Program class and walks the halls of a local VA clinic with Veterans. But that’s precisely what happened on Sept. 2, 2014, when the Jack C. Montgomery VA Medical Center (JCMVAMC) MOVE!® Program held a “Wear Yellow-Fight Obesity Awareness” Walk at the Ernest Childers VA Outpatient Clinic in Tulsa.
“In 2013, Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin proclaimed August as “Wear Yellow for Obesity/Childhood Obesity Awareness” Month, and we thought hosting a walk here would be a great way to raise awareness of obesity and our local MOVE!® Program,” said Licensed Dietitian Melinda Smiley, JCMVAMC MOVE!® Program Coordinator. “Dr. Uma Koduri, a Primary Care Physician at our Tulsa clinic, has been really involved in promoting obesity awareness in the state, so she reached out to Dr. Terry Cline, State Health Commissioner, to visit the facility to help promote the cause and event.”
Talk and Walk
Prior to the September walk, Smiley and Koduri teamed up to hold several weight-management presentations at local schools, and in April 2014, debuted a “kick-off” obesity awareness walk. So they were particularly pleased when Dr. Cline accepted the invitation to visit the Tulsa clinic in September.
“He did a brief presentation, which emphasized eating more fruits and vegetables, limiting recreational screen time, getting more physical activity and avoiding sugary beverages,” said Smiley. “He also praised our obesity awareness efforts and MOVE!® Program, and congratulated Veterans on better managing their weight and helping others to do the same.”
After the presentation, Cline accompanied Tulsa staff and 58 MOVE!® Veterans as they walked almost a mile through the clinic’s hallways. Dr. Thomas Schneider, JCMVAMC Chief of Staff, also participated and emphasized his continued advocacy for MOVE!® and his commitment to keep Veterans motivated to lose weight and improve their health.
The next day on Sept. 3, staff and Veterans at the Muskogee VA hospital also completed a similar walk.
Oklahoma State Health Commissioner Dr. Terry Cline (right, front)
walks with a Veteran and VAMC Chief of Staff Dr. Thomas Schneider (center, rear)
Encouragement
“Veterans appreciated that the Commissioner and our Chief of Staff made the effort to come out and support them,” said Smiley. “It meant a lot that someone from the Governor’s Office was talking with them and providing that encouragement.”
Overall, Smiley feels the event was a success because it demonstrated to Veterans that they have VA’s support to manage their weight, and that what they’re doing to better their health is worthwhile. This support and focus resonates with Muskogee’s primarily older, and rural patients, as well as the younger, working Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom Veterans who comprise the Tulsa population.
“Staff feedback on the walks has also been positive,” said Smiley. “They love the concept and actually want us to do it more frequently.”
Momentum
Smiley said JCMVAMC is committed to keeping the “momentum” going on their obesity awareness and healthy living promotional efforts. “In December, we did another walk at our Tulsa Clinic and even staff participated, which was great,” she said. “Our other facilities are also doing more walks, and there has been increasing interest from others in what we’re doing.” In early 2015, the MOVE!® Program will hold another “Yellow Out “and Veterans and VA staff will be encouraged to again wear yellow and walk to promote obesity awareness.
“We’ll continue our efforts to encourage people to get walking and get the word out about obesity prevention and MOVE!®,” explained Smiley. “The program is a great way to help them avoid becoming overweight, and stay on the path to a healthier lifestyle.”
