MOVE! Weight Management Program

Stored: MOVE! Weight Management Program

MOVE! Weight Management Program
Type	Program
Sponsor Organization	National Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
Top Organization	Department of Veterans Affairs
Creation Legislation	Veterans Health Care Eligibility Reform Act of 1996
Website	Website
Purpose	The MOVE! Weight Management Program seeks to assist Veterans in achieving sustainable weight loss and improving overall health through evidence-based lifestyle interventions. It focuses on promoting healthy eating, physical activity, and behavioral changes to reduce chronic disease risk.
Program Start	2006
Initial Funding	Not publicly specified
Duration	Ongoing
Historic	No

The MOVE! Weight Management Program (MOVE!) is a national health promotion effort spearheaded by the National Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention (NCP) within the Department of Veterans Affairs, designed to address the high prevalence of overweight and obesity among Veterans. Launched in 2006, MOVE! integrates behavioral counseling, nutritional guidance, and physical activity support, drawing from the Diabetes Prevention Program to help Veterans achieve clinically meaningful weight loss—typically 5-10% of body weight—to enhance health outcomes and quality of life. Notable for its adaptability, the program offers diverse delivery methods including in-person sessions, telehealth, and a mobile app, catering to individual Veteran needs across the VA system.

Official Site

Goals

Support Veterans in achieving and maintaining a 5-10% weight loss to improve health and reduce chronic disease risks, such as diabetes.
Promote sustainable lifestyle changes through healthy eating habits and increased physical activity.
Enhance Veterans’ confidence and skills in self-managing their weight, with a target of widespread adoption across all VA facilities.

Organization

The MOVE! Weight Management Program is administered by the National Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention under the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), part of the Department of Veterans Affairs. It operates through a network of MOVE! coordinators at VA medical facilities, who tailor the program to local needs using a standardized 16-module Veteran Workbook and additional resources. Funding is integrated into the VHA’s annual budget, with allocations supporting staff training, materials, and technology like the MOVE! Coach app. Governance is overseen nationally by the NCP, with local implementation managed by facility-level teams. The program’s leader holds the title of **National Program Director for Weight Management**, currently Susan Raffa, Ph.D., who provides clinical and administrative oversight.

History

The MOVE! Weight Management Program traces its origins to growing concerns over obesity among Veterans, with formal establishment in 2006 following groundwork laid by the Veterans Health Care Eligibility Reform Act of 1996, which expanded VA preventive care authority. It was developed in response to data showing over 75% of VHA-enrolled Veterans were overweight or obese by the early 2000s, aiming to adapt evidence-based strategies like those from the Diabetes Prevention Program. Key milestones include its nationwide rollout by 2008 and the introduction of the MOVE! Coach mobile app in 2015. The program has evolved to incorporate telehealth options like TeleMOVE! and virtual fitness classes, with ongoing expansions planned to enhance accessibility and Veteran engagement through 2025 and beyond.

Funding

MOVE! is financed through the VHA’s operational budget, though specific initial funding figures from 2006 are not publicly detailed. Funding commenced with its launch in 2006, relying on federal appropriations reallocated within the VA to support staff, materials, and infrastructure. As an ongoing program, it has no set end date, with additional funding authorized periodically to expand services—such as the 2023 push for telehealth integration. Budget details remain embedded in broader VHA allocations, with sustained investment reflecting its priority in Veteran care.

Implementation

The program employs a multi-faceted approach, offering group and individual sessions, telehealth via TeleMOVE!, and self-guided options through the MOVE! Coach app. Implementation began with pilot sites in 2006, scaling to all VA facilities by 2008, using strategies like the MOVE!11 Questionnaire to personalize plans and the Veteran Workbook for structured education. Phases include an initial 16-week core curriculum, followed by maintenance support, with no fixed end date as it aims for long-term integration into VA healthcare. Rollout continues to adapt, incorporating virtual and in-home technologies to reach more Veterans.

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