Fight the fat this holiday from the convenience of your computer. The Eat Smart, Move More campaign is hosting an online weight-loss challenge to help motivate people during the winter holidays, when family celebrations often offer temptations with a high calorie count. The program runs from Nov. 23 through Dec. 31, though sign-up is already underway. Participants get a free weekly newsletter that contains healthy tips, recipes and other information to help the waistline. The online challenge is designed to provide support and weight-loss goals. A Holiday Challenge Blog on Facebook allows participants to interact and encourage one another. Beth Fornadley, health educator for the Appalachian District health Department, said the effort will allow people to track their own progress for six weeks rather than meeting for group weigh-ins or traveling to a support group. In North Carolina, two-thirds of all adults are obese or overweight. The state is fifth-worst in the United States for childhood obesity, and obesity is also related to higher health-care costs. Four of the 10 leading causes of death are linked to obesity.

Eat Smart, Move More promotes what the name implies--a more physically active lifestyle and better diet. The weight-loss challenge is at myeatsmartmovemore.com.