Scale Back Alabama

It’s the start of a new year and many people are wanting to shed pounds as part of resolutions or sheer determination.

Some weight-loss experts believe some folks lose weight easier if they don’t go it alone. To that end, Alabamians are encouraged to sign up for Scale Back Alabama, a nine-week weight loss and physical activity competition.

SBA is designed to encourage Alabamians to make nutritious food and beverage choices every day, incorporate exercise weekly and achieve a healthier body weight. Make sure to check with your health care provider before beginning a new exercise or diet regimen.

About the program

The free competition is sponsored by the Alabama Hospital Association, Alabama Department of Public Health, and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama. It will begin with Weigh-in Week, set for Jan. 22–28. Participants must be at least 18 years of age and live or work in Alabama.

“SBA is designed to encourage Alabamians to make nutritious food and beverage choices every day, incorporate exercise weekly and achieve a healthier body weight,” said Paula Gilliam, a county health department nutritionist and Limestone County’s SBA coordinator.

Participants should check with their health care provider before beginning a new exercise or diet regimen.

Registration and prizes

• Visit scalebackalabama.com/project/register or register using the Scale Back Alabama app (only one registration per team of two);

• If possible, print your registration confirmation page; and

• Visit an official public weigh-in location during the week of Jan. 22–28 and take registration confirmation with you. Limestone County’s site is the Limestone County Health Department, 20371 Clyde Mabry Drive, Athens.

Teams and individuals who weigh-out during the week of April 2–8 and succeed in losing at least 10 pounds qualify to win a share of $14,500 in cash prizes. Teams are made up of two people (no more, no less).

For more information, contact Gilliam at 256-771-6056.

Making a difference

The following are some facts about Scale Back Alabama:

• The program is now in its 12th consecutive year;

• Cumulative number of pounds lost statewide: 1.35 million; and

• Cumulative number of participants statewide: 317,372.

A growing problem

In America, more than one-third of U.S. adults have obesity. Alabamians have the third-highest adult obesity rate, according to “The State of Obesity: Better Policies for a Healthier America.”

This report was issued in August by the Trust for America’s Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

The effect of obesity can be very costly and harmful to our nation’s health. The estimated annual medical cost of obesity in the U.S. is over $147 billion. Obesity can also lead to multiple health conditions, including heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and certain types of cancer — some of the leading causes of preventable death.