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Fort Lauderdale, Fla. —To help Florida families across the state enjoy a happy and healthy holiday season, the Florida Department of Health is partnering with North Carolina State University to offer the Maintain, Don’t Gain! Holiday Challenge for the third year in a row. This free seven-week challenge runs from Nov. 14 through Dec. 31 and provides participants with tips, tricks and ideas to help maintain their weight throughout the holiday season.

“The holidays are a great time for family and celebration, but it is important to remember health is a year-round commitment,” said Dr. Paula Thaqi, Director of the DOH in Broward County. “The Holiday Challenge helps people make healthy choices to avoid overindulging and missteps while still enjoying this happy time of year.”

Many Americans gain between one and five pounds each holiday season. Last year, more than 1,600 Floridians participated in the Maintain, Don’t Gain! Holiday Challenge, the second most participants of all 50 states, and received helpful advice on enjoying the holidays in a more healthy way. Participants in last year’s challenge experienced beneficial results. Sixty-seven percent reported they maintained their weight, 18 percent lost three to five pounds and 98 percent said they will continue to use the strategies learned during the challenge.

The 2016 Holiday Challenge includes:

• Seven weekly newsletters delivered to your inbox;
• Tips to host a healthier Thanksgiving, manage holiday stress and survive a holiday party;
• Weekly challenges, winners and prizes;
• Support through social media;
• Healthy holiday recipes; and
• Motivation and support from other participants.

For more information and to register for the 2016 Maintain, Don’t Gain! Holiday Challenge, please visit the Healthiest Weight Florida website.

About the Florida Department of Health

The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

Follow us on Twitter at @FLHealthBroward and @HealthyFla and on Facebook. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.