LEARN To Achieve and Maintain a Healthy Weight Through Weight Loss Classes Available Midday and Evening Sept 2, 2008 "Next to smoking, obesity is the second leading cause of preventable death in the United States," according to George L. Blackburn, M.D., President of the American Society for Clinical Nutrition. He describes our national overweight/obesity dilemma as ".an epidemic that drains our economy of billions of dollars annually and .together with a sedentary life style contributes to over 300,000 excess deaths each year." Catawba Valley Medical Center (CVMC) wants to help those wishing to achieve or maintain a healthy weight and lifestyle through its program entitled LEARN Weight Loss Classes. Led by Lynn Geissele, Registered Dietitian, Licensed Dietitian/Nutritionist, two ten-week LEARN class sessions-one at 12 noon and another at 5:30 p.m.--beginning Wednesday, Sept. 17 will focus on Lifestyle, Exercise, Attitude, Relationships and Nutrition. All classes will meet in the Center for Rehabilitation's Conference Room on the CVMC campus. Both midday and evening classes will meet each Wednesday from Sept. 17 through Nov. 19. To learn more about the program before the class sessions begin, introductory meetings are available on Wednesday, Sept. 10 at 12 noon and again at 5:30 p.m. in the Center for Rehabilitation's Conference Room on the CVMC campus. Registration is requested prior to the first class on Wednesday, Sept. 17. Goals of the LEARN program are to help attendees achieve a balanced diet, change eating habits, start an enjoyable exercise program and achieve permanent weight loss. Each LEARN program participant will receive a confidential body fat assessment, a three-month membership to CVMC's Fitness Plus Center and the opportunity to join at a special rate. Contact Ms Geissele at 828-326-2905 for class fee information, registration or more information. Catawba Valley Medical Center is a not-for-profit, public healthcare system providing and promoting the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being of the public in addition to serving as a center for health education, wellness services, preventative medicine and acute care. CVMC, twice recognized by the American Nurses Credentialing Center as a Magnet facility, was recently named as a "Distinguished Hospital for An Outstanding InPatient Experience" by J.D. Power and Associates as well as a Hospital of Choice by the American Alliance of Healthcare Providers.