New plan to fight obesity in North Carolina to launch Thursday | News

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV)- Juliana Luna's penchant for healthy living started while working in the corporate world.

"I saw how food production was like on a big scale," said Luna.

"It was not based on health."

In her quest for a healthier life Luna quickly changed her diet.

Getting there was not easy.

The now vegetarian and owner of and organic food restaurant says finding healthy food options was a constant problem.

It's a dilemma that a new movement called Eat Smart, Move More North Carolina says many face and they are addressing.

The group's research shows nearly two thirds of North Carolina adults and a third of all youth struggle with obesity and overweight.

Eat Smart, Move More NC along with more than 300 health directors and public health professionals will roll out a seven year plan in the making to curb obesity in the state.  

The conference will focus on the factors that cause poor eating habits and inactive lifestyles and how person's zip code may limit their access to healthy options.

By offering these tools to the community Eat Smart Move More NC and Luna hope healthy becomes contagious. 

The plan will be rolled out to the entire state over the course of the year with guidance to all Eat Smart, Move More NC partner organizations.

The plan includes ways to measure the state's progress over time in both the making of healthier places, as well as improvements in individuals' eating habits, physical activity, and body weight.

For more information about the Eat Smart, Move More North Carolina Leadership Team, or to join the efforts, visit www.EatSmartMoveMoreNC.com