Office of Work-Life Programs : Weight Management Program
Who is Eligible for this Program?
The Weight Management Program is available to the following members of Team Coast Guard:
- Active Duty members and their dependents
- Reservists
- Civilian Employees of the Coast Guard
For Coast Guard members exceeding maximum allowable body fat, please visit the Body Fat Probation Resources page.
Purpose of Program
The Weight Management program is intended to assist members that are interested in gaining, losing or maintaining weight through education and intervention methods for successfully managing one’s own weight in a safe, healthy manner. In turn, members can learn how to stay in compliance with the Coast Guard weight standards.
Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight is a continuous struggle for many individuals. Numerous factors such as diet, exercise, stress and genetics influence one’s ability to successfully maintain a healthy weight. The Weight Management Program provides the support, resources and education needed to help participants safely achieve a healthy weight and adopt better nutrition as a part of a healthier lifestyle.
Program Confidentiality
Discussions and names of members on the CG Weight Program are confidential between the member, unit admin, unit command, and/or medical doctor.
Definitions
The following definitions apply to the Weight Management Program:
- Maximum Allowable Weight (MAW): Weight at which a member of a given sex, height, and frame size is referred for a percent body fat determination. Ordinarily, the MAW is well above ideal or healthy weight norms.
- Over-fat: Overweight member who also exceeds the percent body fat allowed for the member’s sex and age.
- Overweight: Member exceeds the MAW, most commonly as a result of muscle or excess fat.
- Recommended Healthy Weight (RHW): “Ideal” body weights for adults.
Services and Resources Available
Effective, sustainable weight management requires a balance between calories taken in and calories expended, a commitment to regular fitness and effective stress management. Health promotion personnel can assist members with a lifestyle plan that will free them from the diet roller coaster with the following resources and services:
- Calorie King: www.calorieking.com: A food awareness website that provides effective tools to take charge of your eating and exercise habits, including a searchable database of foods you eat and the nutrients they provide.
- Centers for Disease Control, Obesity and Overweight: http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/obesity/
- Get into Fighting Weight: A Total Force Fitness Guide. Health sustainable weight loss isn't just about diet and exercise or quick fixes. Find out how you can optimize various factors that affect your health, so you can reach peak performance with this free guide form the Human Performance Resources by the CHAMP Team.
- Human Performance Resources by CHAMP: Visit HPRC-online.org for military specific information ona variety of health subects : information is available on a variety of health subjects such as nutrition and exercise.
- My Plate: wwwchooseMYPLATE.gov
My Plate offers personalized eating plans and interactive tools to help you plan and assess your food choices and find balance between nutrition and physical activity.
- SparkPeople.com is a FREE online service to help improve your health.
- Unit Food Service Specialist. Diet is a significant part of the weight management equation. Many of the Coast Guard’s Food Service Specialists (FSs) have special training in nutrition and healthy cooking techniques. FS personnel are valuable resources for information and play a major role in the availability of healthy food choices at their dining facilities.
Requesting Services or Resources
These services or resources can be obtained by contacting the Health Promotion Manager or EAP counselor on your Regional Work-Life Staff. Work-Life Staffs are located at Integrated Support Commands CG-wide and at the Headquarters Support Command.
Program References
The following references provide details of the Weight Management Program:
Point of Contact
If you are unable to contact the Health Promotion Manager on your Regional Work-Life Staff, or need additional assistance beyond the information provided here, please contact the Headquarters Health Promotions Program Manager, Tim Merrell at (202) 475-5146, fax (202) 475-5907, or email at Timothy.M.Merrell@uscg.mil.