By Wayne Allen

Wallen@

communitycommon.com

Three area organizations Southern Ohio Medical Center (SOMC), Community Action Organization and the Portsmouth Area Chamber of Commerce have come together to offer, a program called "Life", an effort to combat obesity in Scioto County.

"The "Life" program is grant funded through the Ohio Foundation for Healthy Communities, a division of the Ohio Hospital Association," Regina Tipton, wellness specialist with Southern Ohio Medical Center Life Center said.

The "Life" program is a 12 month program, "designed to help increase the health and wellness of our community, not just through diet and exercise. Also through increasing education on diabetes, heart disease, cancers and how it all interplay's and effects each other," Tipton said.

She said the program is for the entire family, not just individuals.

"We find we can reach the kids, we can reach the parents. Sometimes the message is not getting to both. This will allow us to teach not just teach the kids but teach the parents at the same time," Tipton said.

Participants will meet once a month for a couple of hours for an informational session. The first meeting will be August 6th. Basic measurements and weight will be taken at the meeting to track how participants are doing.

"We do not suspect substantial weight loss or anything but, if they are applying what they are learning then they should see some weight loss," Tipton said. "The goal is for a healthier community. Whether it be through weight loss, changing lifestyle components such as eating healthier or increased activity. With proper eating and exercise it effects everything in the body."

Weekly tips will be sent to participants through different methods such as Facebook and Twitter along with many other methods.

The program is free of charge and pre-regestration is required by July 30. The program is limited to 200 participants.

"There is plenty of room left. We are turning no one away at this time," Tipton said.

For more information about the program or to sign-up call 356-7510.