It’s been a good year for Operation Live Well (OLW). The program, which launched in May 2013, focuses on giving service members and veterans the tools, resources, and inspiration they need to live healthful lifestyles. Since then, the achievements have mounted. Among them:
• Quit Tobacco—Make Everyone Proud averaged 28,000 visits to the website and 320 smoking cessation chats per month.
• Thanks to Go for Green, a color-coded food rating system, 72% of soldiers report eating more quality foods than they did before joining the U.S. Army.
• Nearly 84% of surveyed Defense Logistics Agency employees shopped at the farmers market at McNamara HQC.
• FitPick vending machines took in more than $14,000 in healthful food sales in less than 2 months at the Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Connecticut.
• U.S. Navy and Marine Corps Public Health Center’s 2014 Crews Into Shape challenge found 80% of surveyed participants increased their daily physical activity.
• In the 2014 Weight Loss Wars contest, the Missile Defense Agency lost collectively more than 3,000 pounds.
The website highlights some of OLW’s demonstration projects, partners, and other initiatives (See App Corner). For the special anniversary compilation, visit http://www.health.mil/Military-Health-topics/Operation-Live-Well/OLW-Anniversary.