HealthierUS Veterans

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HealthierUSVeterans
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What is HealthierUS Veterans?

• An initiative sponsored by the Departments of
  Veterans Affairs (VA) and Health and Human
  Services (HHS)
• Designed to help veterans, their families, and
  communities
  improve their health
  by eating healthy
  and being active

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Why HealthierUS Veterans?

• A growing number of Americans struggle with
  obesity and diabetes
• Obesity and diabetes are significant problems for
  veterans
• Veterans and theirfamilies make up ¼ of US
  population(approximately 70 million people)

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If you are overweight, you are at increased risk
for

• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• High blood cholesterol
• Heart disease
• Trouble breathing during sleep
• Joint pain
• Some types of cancer

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Here is what you can do

• Eat healthy
• Be active
• Get fit for life
• Get involved
  with HealthierUS
  Veterans

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Good nutrition and regular physical activity help
you

• Have more energy
• Sleep better
• Reduce body fat and weight gain
• Control your blood sugar
• Lower blood pressure
• Decrease bad cholesterol (LDL) and increase
  good cholesterol (HDL)

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Eat Healthy

• Aim for at least 5 servings of colorful
  vegetables or fruit each day

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Eat Healthy

• Have 3 servings of lowfat milk, cheese, yogurt or
  other calcium-rich foods each day

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Eat Healthy

• Make half your grains whole grains

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Eat Healthy

• Know the limits on fat, salt and sugar

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Eat Healthy

• Control calories

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Eat Healthy

• Drink water or other low calorie beverages

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Be Active

• Use the stairs instead of the elevator, if
  possible

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Be Active

• Take a walk (or roll) each day

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Be Active

• Park farther away from your destination

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Be Active

• Stretch while watching TV

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Be Active

• Move your body every chance you get

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HealthierUS Veterans Can Help You

• VAs MOVE! Weight Management Program
• Prescription for Health
• Fitness Challenges
• Partnerships between VA medical facilities and
  community-based programs funded by HHS
• Fit for Life Volunteer Corps

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VA Weight Management Program

• Helps veterans lose weight, keep it off, and
  improve health
• MOVE!
• Emphasizes health, not looks
• Is tailored to meet your needs
• Helps you with nutrition, physical activity, and
  behavior change
• Includes regular follow-up and support

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www.move.va.gov
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Prescription for Health

• Ask your medical provider about a Prescription
  for Health to encourage you to be more active
• This prescription includes recommended steps to
  walk or a distance to roll in a wheelchair

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Prescription for Health
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Fitness Challenges

• Participate in VA Medical Center (VAMC)
  Fitness Challenges
• Encourage family, friends, and
• co-workers to take the challenge
• Register for the Presidents Challenge
  and track fitness activities
  on-line
• www.healthierusveterans.va.gov/FitnessChallenges.a
  sp

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Fit for Life Volunteer Corps

• Encourage veterans and their family members to
  eat healthy and be active
• Promote HealthierUS Veterans special events,
  Fitness Challenges, and the Presidents Challenge
• Contact your local VAMC Voluntary Service to sign
  up

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My HealtheVet

• My HealtheVet offers tools to help you keep track
  of what you eat and how active you are
• Website
  www.myhealth.va.gov

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Fitness DVD
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Community-Based Programs Funded by HHS

• Steps to a HealthierUS programs in 40 communities
  address physical inactivity and poor nutrition to
  reduce obesity and diabetes
• Find out if you live in a
  community with a
  Steps to a HealthierUS Program

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What Our VAMC is Doing

• Offering the MOVE! Program
• (Establishing a walking trail or route on the
  grounds)
• (Posting reminders about taking the stairs near
  elevators brighten/enhance stairwells)
• (Organizing a farmers market)

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How Can You Get Involved

• Actively participate in HealthierUS Veterans
  activities at your local VAMC
• Become a Fit for Life Volunteer
• Help promote this program to other veterans,
  their families, community organizations, and the
  public-at-large

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Remember

• Eat Healthy
• Be Active
• Get Fit for Life

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Questions? Comments?

• 1-877-222-8387
• TDD 1-800-829-4833
• www.healthierusveterans.va.gov