This country's battle with obesity has ballooned into a health crisis that the medical community struggles to address.

Almost two-thirds of Americans are defined as overweight (a body mass index of 25 or higher) and obese (a BMI of 30 or higher). Despite the persistent efforts of doctors and the government to educate the public about nutrition and exercise, the problem keeps escalating.

The only answer is to keep persisting. And it's heartening to note recent efforts by healthcare providers to do just that.

In Hawai'i, HMSA recently launched a partnership with Weight Watchers in which the medical insurer offers partial coverage for program fees; Kaiser Permanente already had a similar subsidy in place for its members.

While it's reasonable that insurers have underwritten participation in Weight Watchers, already vetted as effective by various studies, the search for additional, alternative programs that support healthy weight loss must continue.

Weight management is a highly personalized project, and no single strategy works perfectly for everyone. There are online resources to help those who prefer not to go so public with their personal health campaigns. Other support systems also may merit similar health coverage.

Hawai'i residents want and need this kind of sustained support on their journey to a healthier life.