MOVE! Weight Management Program

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?

• 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 may contribute to:

• Low energy: many people with higher body weight report having low energy.
• Pain: low back and knee pain are common in people with higher body weight.
• Poor sleep: trouble sleeping is often linked with higher body weight. It can cause problems with how you feel during the day and may lead to other health problems.
• Chronic diseases: higher body weight can lead to heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, many types of cancer, and other conditions.

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

How does VA support weight management?

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 can I get weight management care at VA?

If you are interested in weight management and healthy living, contact your VA health care team or local VA health facility. Ask for the MOVE! Program.

If you're not enrolled in VA health care, you can apply now. Learn how to apply for VA health care.

Where will I go for care at VA?

We work to provide you with the right care at the right time and location for you. We provide your care at the VA facility closest to your home that has the expertise to manage all of your needs. Virtual care may also be an option. If you need a high level of specialized care, you may need to travel to the VA facility that can provide that care.

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 common are overweight and obesity among Veterans?

Rates of overweight and obesity have increased among Veterans and non-Veterans over recent decades.

What are some health problems that are related to overweight and obesity?

People who have higher body weight are at increased risk for many serious diseases and health conditions, including:

• High blood pressure
• High total cholesterol or high levels of triglycerides
• Type 2 diabetes
• Coronary heart disease
• Stroke
• Gallbladder disease
• Osteoarthritis (a breakdown of cartilage and bone within a joint)
• Sleep apnea and breathing problems
• Many types of cancer
• Low quality of life
• Depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions
• Body pain and difficulty with physical functioning

Overweight and obesity are also linked with a higher overall chance of death.

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.

Can I get VA disability compensation for this condition?

Some conditions, including obesity, may qualify you for VA disability compensation. If you have certain related health problems, you may also be eligible for compensation for those conditions.