South Carolina – Obesity Prevention Resources

Overview of Obesity in SC

• SC Looks To Turn the Tide on Obesity - article explains high prevalence of obesity and related diseases in SC
  
• Percentage of Overweight and Obese Adults in SC - graph compares SC to US
  
• US Stroke Incidence Map - shows SC in "the buckle of the stroke belt"

SC Obesity Prevention Organizations

• Activate America - YMCA program provides weight-loss education, monthly weigh-ins, and online daily activity logs to monitor your progress
  –  Activate Chesterfield County
  –  Activate Upstate
  
• Eat Smart, Move More SC - includes "options for action" in different settings, tips for starting or enhancing farmer's markets, and other tools for leading a healthy and active lifestyle
  
• Health-E-AME - encourages physical activity, weight loss - focuses on members of the AME Church in SC
  
• Healthy South Carolina Challenge - statewide effort to promote healthy lifestyle choices like exercising and eating right
  
• Lighten Up Forever - Christian community outreach program that helps SC and NC churchgoers lose weight
  
• Louie's Kids - sends children to summer weight loss camps - headquartered in SC
  
• Palmetto Center for Advocacy - community outreach programs to lessen the impact of obesity in SC – site includes a Just for Kids page with educational games
  
• South Carolina Coalition for Obesity Prevention Efforts
  
• South Carolina Coalition for Promoting Physical Activity
  
  
• Hands on Health - does not focus primarily on obesity but deals with many obesity-related illnesses like diabetes and heart disease
  

Regional and National Obesity Prevention Organizations

• Alliance for a Healthier Generation - targets childhood obesity - joint initiative of the American Heart Assocation and the Clinton Foundation
  
• Color Me Healthy - NC program to promote nutritional health and physical activity in kids ages 4 and 5
  
• Partners for Active Living - finding creative ways to reintegrate physical activity into daily life
  
• Tri-State Stroke Network - SC, NC, GA - how to prevent strokes plus statistics on the "Stroke Buckle"
  

More Obesity Tools and Resources

• BMI Calculator - online tool for adults and children to determine if their weight is healthy
  
• Obesity Basics and News - compiled by the National Library of Medicine
• Weight Loss and Exercise - resource of the American Diabetes Association
• Overweight and Obesity - contributing factors, consequences, and recommendations - National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion