A broad range of New Hampshire state agencies, non-profit organizations, school districts, health care providers, municipal recreation departments, ad hoc volunteer groups, and private-sector businesses have launched programs aimed or partly aimed at obesity prevention and reduction. These programs include:

• community fitness/outdoor recreational programs
• outdoor recreational trail systems
• thousands of organized running, bicycling, paddling, rowing, walking, hiking, swimming, triathlon, snowshoeing, cross-county skiing, and orienteering events, both competitive and non-competitive
• "citizen" running, bicycling, swimming, paddling and rowing clubs open to all comers
• parent/teacher initiatives to improve school lunch and school fitness programs
• health insurance and business incentives that reward healthy behavior
• community efforts to combat sprawl, create "walkable" communities, and preserve open spaces accessible for public recreation
• health promotion centers’ healthy eating and exercise programs
• the network of private and non-profit health clubs
• community-sponsored fitness programs
• diet and exercise support groups
• informational outreach targeted at the general public or specific groups
• hospital-based weight management programs
  

At this time, no agency or organization provides statewide leadership for the promotion of healthy lifestyles. Lack of statewide integration among these many projects means that individuals, families, professionals working with obese clients, and various groups don’t know the wide range of resources available, even within their own communities. A systemic change that facilitates collaboration and cooperation among all of the entities involved in obesity prevention will assist in promoting healthy lifestyles for New Hampshire residents.

The Web serves as a powerful tool for organizing information resources, but no Web site currently collects and integrates obesity-resources specific to New Hampshire, and none offers opportunities for creating interactive online communities of practice and interest. The Lighten Up NH! initiative will fill this gap and bring together all of the disparate groups who are working on the issue of obesity in their communities.