In the Southeast Region of the U.S., 54% of women over the age of 18 are overweight or obese. Thirty percent of the women in this region do not engage in any leisure time physical activity. (RNDMU, 2009) The impact of overweight and inactivity is felt deeply in the south, where it has negative consequences across the life course of generations. 

As the nation gets serious about this public health crisis, it is important for the states in our region to find ways to work together to impact change – both on an individual level as well as on the environmental level.

The National Association of City and County Health Officials is one group that has taken on this issue. They have developed an Obesity Prevention Tool Kit and Resources. To access these resources click here.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also have good resources – click here to access them.

States in our region are also taking on this effort. To learn more about North Carolina’s Eat Smart Move More campaign click here.

The North Carolina Preconception Health Campaign, along with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health, and March of Dimes have come up with a great brochure called "Healthy Habits for Life". This brochure provides women with valuable tools to understand their weight and develop healthy habits such as taking a multivitamin and eating more fruits and vegetables. Access this booklet at: http://whb.ncpublichealth.com/provPart/docs/preconceptionHealth/HealthyH...

To learn more about Tennessee’s Get Fit Campaign click here.