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Veterans may be impacted by Non-VA construction near the CLAYTON CLINIC. Construction may be blocking the entrance off of Hwy US 70 business.  Clinic may be accessed from the rear entrance off Atkinson St and S. Moore Street (S. Moore St can be accessed from US70 business at the traffic light).

MOVE! Weight Management Program

VA’s MOVE! Weight Management Program for Veterans can help you adopt a healthy lifestyle, meet your health goals, and manage your weight. MOVE! is about much more than weight. It is about increasing your ability and confidence to achieve your health goals. MOVE!’s basic ideas—helping you learn tools and approaches for healthy eating and physical activity—are easy to follow and based on the latest research.

If you have a higher body weight, losing 5%-10% of your weight can improve your health. Keeping a weight that is healthy for you can help you feel good and have energy to do the things you want to do. 

With the help of your MOVE! care team, you can: 

  • improve your quality of life, and even live longer 
  • reduce health risks
  • prevent or reverse certain diseases

VA also offers weight management medicines and surgery. These options can be helpful when used along with lifestyle changes that are part of MOVE!. Talk with your health care team to learn more about these choices and how they can help you meet your goals.

How do I get started with move!?

If you are interested in weight management and healthy living, Contact your MOVE! Team to schedule an appointment today.

The MOVE! program is offered at the following locations:

Durham, Raleigh1, Raleigh 3, Clayton, Hillandale, Croasdaile: 919-416-8034 or 1-888-878-6890, ext. 17-8034 

Greenville:  -6931

Morehead City: -6931

MOVE! Options 

MOVE! Orientation is a one-time group session that allows Veterans to reflect on their current and desired future state, identify what matters to them, and hear about key strategies for weight management, the MOVE! Program and its benefits. 919-286-0411, ext. 178034.

MOVE! Group Sessions are the most common way Veterans participate. Veterans find it helps to hear from each other about what works. Clinician-led groups meet regularly and follow a structured discussion format. 919-286-0411, ext. 178034.

TeleMOVE! Home Telehealth is a 90-session in-home messaging and monitoring option for those who prefer to review materials independently with periodic phone calls to evaluate goals. Each day Veterans spend about 10 minutes reading health-related information, completing an activity, and answering questions on the phone or computer along with regular weight monitoring. 919-286-0411, ext. 178034.

Additional Program Options

  • MOVE! Maintenance sessions provide longer-term support at less frequent intervals to help Veterans sustain healthy behaviors.
  • Be Active and MOVE! (BAM) is a structured physical activity group available using video visits that may complement MOVE! participation options.
  • MOVE! Coach is a mobile app for Veterans who want to set their own pace. 
  • Annie text messaging is a self-care tool that can be added to a MOVE! participation option to enhance the experience or be used independently. Daily texts provide motivation and prompts for tracking goals, weight, food, and/or activity.

Weight Management Medications and Metabolic Bariatric Surgery are treatment options that may be helpful for some Veterans. To learn more about these options, please contact your healthcare provider or VA medical facility MOVE! team. 919-286-0411, ext. 178034.

The Veteran workbook and a Food & Activity used is available here: Veteran Materials - MOVE! Weight Management Program.

MOVE! Brochure 2024 (PDF)

What is adult overweight and obesity?

Overweight or obesity are described as weight that is greater than what is considered healthy for a person’s height. This definition can vary from person to person. Body Mass Index (BMI), which is calculated using a weight to height ratio, is a screening tool for adult overweight and obesity. However, BMI does not diagnose health or how much fat you may have. It can be a useful starting point for learning about your current health status. Talk with your health care provider to learn more.

What factors contribute to overweight and obesity?

A person’s body weight is affected by many factors. These include:

  • Eating patterns: what, how much, and how often you eat and drink.
  • Physical activity: how much you move your body.
  • Sleep: the quality of your sleep and how long you sleep can affect your food, beverage, and activity choices.
  • Genetics: certain genes can alter how hungry you feel.
  • Medicines: some medicines can cause weight changes.
  • Environment: where you live, learn, work, and play can affect what and how much you eat and drink.
  • Society: your culture, education, and the pressure that you experience from peers and the media can affect what and how much you eat and drink.

How can having a higher body weight affect your health?

Overweight and obesity are linked with low energy, pain, poor sleep, and greater risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes. If you have a higher body weight, losing 5%-10% of your current weight can help lower your risks for these and other conditions. Keeping a weight that is healthy for you can help you feel good and have energy to do the things you want to do.

Can I get screened for overweight and obesity in VA?

VA recommends that you get screened every year for overweight and obesity. To get screened, talk with your VA health care provider.

How can you strive for a healthy weight?

Working towards a weight that is healthy for you can help you feel good and have energy to do the things you want to do. It can also help you prevent and manage many chronic health conditions.

To aim for a healthy body weight:

  • Talk with your health care team about your goals and to identify what is healthy for you.
  • Move more during your day. Try to include at least 2½ hours each week of moderate activity that makes you breathe a little harder and sweat a little, such as walking, gardening, slow biking, or hand cycling.
  • Eat when you are hungry, pay attention to when you are full, and look for foods that you enjoy, such as vegetables and fruit for fiber and lean protein options.
  • To track your progress, weigh yourself at least weekly and keep a log of your food and activity.

 

Access helpful VA resources for overweight and obesity

Other helpful resources

Access additional helpful resources for overweight and obesity

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