Emory employees have a new way to take control of their health through “Eat Smart, Move More, Weigh Less,” an online weight-management program being introduced through Healthy Emory this summer.
Eat Smart, Move More, Weigh Less is an evidence-based, 15-week program developed by North Carolina State University and the North Carolina Division of Public Health. The program focuses on lifestyle rather than being a diet, teaching participants healthy eating and physical activity strategies to achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
Each week of the program, a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) delivers live, interactive lessons designed to inform, empower and motivate participants to live mindfully as they make choices about eating and physical activity.
Registration is open on a first-come, first-served basis for any benefits-eligible Emory employees or employees on an Emory medical plan from April 25 – May 20, 2022. A special voucher code allows Emory employees to participate at no charge. Program dates are May 23-Aug. 29.
In addition to the weekly group sessions, participants will receive access to a secure, online portal to set and track goals, one-on-one coaching support, and a program workbook with recipes.
A 2020 survey showed that more than 39% of Emory enterprise employees felt weight management should be a key focus area. Healthy Emory is offering Eat Smart, Move More, Weigh Less in response to that information.
More than 21,500 participants have enrolled in Eat Smart, Move More, Weigh Less nationwide since July 2009. Ninety-one percent of participants are either satisfied or very satisfied with the real-time online delivery of the program, and 96% indicate they would recommend the real-time online classes to others.
“Over the past six years, employees of Emory University and Emory Healthcare have shown an increase in health risk assessment BMI scores that exceeded the healthy range based on ACSM [American College of Sports Medicine] guidelines,” says James Jadallah, senior wellness manager at the university.
“The percentage for overweight and obese Healthy Emory Connect members had risen from 59.3% in 2014 to 64.4% in 2019. Unfortunately, this negative trend may have worsened during the past two years impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic,” Jadallah adds. “We hope to reverse this trend with Eat Smart, Move More, Weigh Less and encourage all benefits-eligible employees to take part in our new weight-management program starting on May 23.”
Visit the Eat Smart, Move More, Weigh Less website for more information about the program and to read testimonials from past participants.