Although Chilton Medical Center is still closed, the hospital is still striving to serve the community, including hosting Scale Back Alabama on Jan. 23 from 10-3 p.m. in the glass room by Dr. Ajay Patel and Dr. Cherrie Herrera’s office.

Now in its seventh year, Scale Back Alabama is a 10-week, statewide weight-loss contest.

Anne Taddicken of Chilton Medical Center said the event in Clanton is open for all-ages and each individual sets his or her weight loss goal.

“We need to cultivate some champions for healthy lifestyles,” Donald Jones, North Alabama hospital CEO and chairman of Scale Back Alabama said in a release. “With more than 30 percent of our population considered to be obese, we have some crucial workouts ahead of us and we can’t wait until we get started.”

This year’s theme is “champions for your health” and individuals choosing to participate must form a team of four and then register and do their initial weigh in at Chilton Medical Center. The contest is free and teams are encouraged to set weight-loss and exercise goals and are provided with weekly health tips.

Over the seven-year history of the contest, Alabamians have lost a total of more than 900,000 pounds. This year’s contest is supported by a grassroots network of almost 500 local coordinators with weigh-in sites in almost every county.

Scale Back Alabama is sponsored by the Alabama Hospital Association and the Alabama Department of Public Health with underwriting by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama.

State health officer who introduced Scale Back Alabama Dr. Donald Williamson said it is not simply enough to lose weight.

“Alabamians also need to start exercising,” Williamson said. “The goal is to get people in the habit of eating less and moving more.”