achieving and maintaining a healthy weight

Obesity has officially been declared an epidemic in the United States of America. Studies from 2012 showed that 35.7% of adults and 16.9% of children are obese (defined as a BMI of over 30). Obesity contributes to type 2 diabetes, chronic heart disease, hypertension, strokes, and many cancers. It is estimated that by the year 2030 the cost of treating preventable obesity-related diseases will increase by 48 to 66 billion dollars per year.


Tanner Health System has some wonderful programs for its employees and the community that can assist in achieving and maintaining a healthy weight:

• Tanner Health Source has great exercise equipment and classes

• Nutrition education with a registered dietician

• Tanner Walking Program

• DASH diet program

• Health fairs and screenings for business, industry, and the community

• Get Healthy West Georgia is a three-year initiative developed to improve nutrition, increase physical activity and reduce obesity in Carroll, Haralson and Heard counties. One of the great programs they provide is the “Maintain, Don’t Gain Challenge”.

• Tanner Employee Assistance Program provides counseling and coaching for employees of Tanner Health System and a number of other area employers.

Many healthcare providers encourage their patients to make use of counseling in addition to any medical or lifestyle interventions. Learning to cope in healthier ways with stress, anger, difficult people and situations can help us to achieve and maintain better health in many ways, including our weight. Counseling and coaching can help to motivate us, educate us, and remind us of some of the strategies and behaviors that have been shown to contribute to achieving and maintaining a healthy weight.

Some of these tools are:

• Journaling

• Support groups

• Goal-setting

• Menu planning

• Scheduling

• Relaxation training

• Mindfulness

• Exercise

• Making healthier food choices

• Learning from others’ successes and mistakes

If you would like to sit down and talk about a health-related, or any other issue in a confidential setting feel free to call the Tanner EAP at 770-834-8327.

Here’s to your health!