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Welcome to the move·ment page.

Communities across the nation are facing a growing prevalence of overweight and obesity and associated preventable chronic diseases as a result of unhealthy lifestyles. In particular, excess weight increases the risk of many diseases and conditions such as Type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, and some cancers. Both communities and individuals bear the costs. Direct medical costs of obesity are estimated at $147 billion nationwide; on average, health care expenses cost an extra $1,400 a year for an obese individual. The solution cannot be found through health care procedures alone because obesity is difficult and expensive to treat. What is necessary, however, is prevention through systemic changes that will be made via policy, environmental and ultimately culture and behavior change.

To address the need for community change, the Welborn Baptist Foundation has spearheaded move·ment a healthy community initiative. The Foundation envisions a coalition of multiple, engaged partners, leading an effort aimed at increasing physical activity and healthy eating. The Foundation has committed to hiring a full time staff person as well as funding resources for capacity building and social marketing messaging.

The move·ment Initiative has the mission of improving overall community health status through the development of a supportive social and physical environment that promotes healthy eating and physical activity. The vision of move·ment is that the Tri-State Community is one in which nutritious foods and opportunities for physical activity are not only highly accessible but integrated within the lifestyles of all area residents as well. The objective of move·ment is that, through increased physical activity and proper nutritional balance, Tri-State residents maintain a healthy weight, thereby decreasing their likelihood of developing chronic disease.

A key part of the move·ment launch is the release of a document developed as part of a community collaborative – over 50 community partners convened and helped contribute to the content of the Blueprint: A Community’s move·ment Toward Healthy Lifestyles. This 20 page document contains objectives for six priority areas as well as strategies and potential actions for each.


To view the Blueprint Executive Summary, please click here. 

 To view the full Blueprint document, please click here.




Priority Areas
Project Director Andrea S. Hays introduces move·ment and discusses the priorities and goals of the Initiative.

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