With more than 70 percent of the patients at Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers found to be overweight, the VA is boosting its efforts to encourage exercise, good nutrition and healthy lifestyles.

Veterans can help to manage their own care by eating right, exercising regularly and staying on the move. MOVE!, in fact, is the name for a VA program at each of the Department’s 153 medical centers in which veterans have their body fat measured and receive an exercise and nutrition program.

The VA says its patients have a higher rate of obesity than the general population and that 20 percent of VA patients have diabetes, a rate almost three times higher than Americans generally

Under the MOVE! program, diabetic patients get regular screenings of blood sugar levels and other problem areas. Patients can complete a questionnaire about their lifestyle and vital signs that gives doctors information about how to best support patients’ efforts to improve their lifestyles.

Veterans and VA employees are eligible to take part in a Champions Challenge by committing themselves to walk 100 miles in 100 days. Applications can be made online at www.move.va.gov/challenge.asp.

MOVE and the Champions Challenge are part of a broader VA program called HealthierUS Veterans, a joint project with the Department of Health and Human Services. It educates veterans and their families about the risks of obesity and diabetes and encourages them to eat healthy, stay active and get fit.

Pending R.I. legislation

Rep. Kenneth Carter, a North Kingstown Democrat and the chairman of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs, has introduced several bills that would affect Rhode Island veterans and active-duty personnel.

One bill, 2008-H 7930, would provide a 100 percent exemption from local property taxes to veterans who suffered full disability on active duty. Surviving spouses would continue to enjoy the same exemption. The measure has been referred to the House Finance Committee.

Three bills introduced by Carter deal with retirement and pensions. They include:

• 2008-H 7615, which is before the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, would broaden the retirement qualifications for certain officers in the National Guard.

• 2008-H 7928, which is before House Finance, would clarify the rights of those whose public-sector employment has been interrupted by military service.

• 2008-H 7532, also before House Finance, makes an adjustment in the retirement or pension credit for military service.

Other legislative initiatives focus on the Rhode Island Veterans Home, in Bristol, including resolutions to extend the life of two study commissions. One panel is studying potential administrative and functional improvements at the home and the other a comprehensive study of the home to develop a master plan for its overall future direction.

•Italian-American War Vets

Cappucci-Weir Post 1 will meet at 6 p.m. tomorrow in the post home, 9 Court St., Bristol.

• Warwick Veterans Council

The council will meet at 6:30 p.m. tomorrow in VFW Post 183, at 176 Washington St. in Warwick.

• Jewish War Vets

Post 23 will meet Wednesday at 11 a.m., with lunch to follow, in the Imperial Room of the Shriners building at 1 Rhodes Place, Broad St., Cranston. Reservations must be made no later than today by calling Steve at (401) 463-5159.

• American Legion

Berard-Desjarlais Post 88, 111 Chapel St., Harrisville, will meet Wednesday (Mar. 19) at 7 p.m. Raymond Fontenault, Burrillville’s veterans services officer, will hold office hours that evening at the post home, from 6 to 8 p.m.

• Association of the Army

The state chapter’s executive committee will meet Wednesday at 7 p.m. in VFW Post 10011, 354 Fruit Hill Ave., North Providence.

• VFW and Auxiliary

Smithfield Memorial Post 2929 will meet Wednesday at 7 p.m., in the post home, 47 Farnum Pike. On Thursday, Gilbert Auxiliary Unit 4487 will host a bingo at the post home, 52 Underwood Lane, Middletown, from 6 to 9:30 p.m.

• Marine Corps League

The South County Detachment will meet Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. in VFW Post 916, 155 High St., Wakefield.

• Special Forces

Rhode Island Chapter 48 will meet Wednesday at 7:30 p.m., at the Corner Tavern, 20 South County Trail, North Kingstown.

• Coventry Veterans Council

The Council will meet Thursday at 10 a.m., at AJ’s Restaurant, Main St., West Warwick, to discuss plans for the Memorial Day parade and select the grand marshal. All Coventry veterans are welcome to attend.

• Reserve Officers Association

The Rhode Island Department’s executive committee will meet Thursday at 7 p.m. in the Harwood Army Reserve Center, 385 Niagara St., Providence.

• Vietnam Veterans

Chapter 273 will meet Thursday at 7:30 p.m. in VFW Post 4651, at 7 Haven Ave. in Cranston.

George W. Reilly can be reached at VeteransColumn@verizon.net or by writing to The Providence Journal, 75 Fountain St., Providence, R.I. 02902.