The project will work to reduce the high incidence of obesity that contributes to health risk factors: heart disease, diabetes and chronic health problems. The project will enroll 2,500 patients from Bayou La Batre, surrounding areas, and day workers who carpool to Bayou. The goal is to inspire patients to increase their daily steps to 10,000 or to engage in 30 minutes of physical activity daily. Grant funds totaling $40,000 will purchase pedometers, advertisements in the local media outlets and create a contest to document the weight loss and increase activity in the county.

The grant outcome will be documented by comparing a baseline report indicating the cumulative weight of the 2,500 patients at the start of the grant to a second report compiled in January 2005; and a final report in October 2005 will document how many pounds have been lost and steps walked.