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Contact Information

Craig Wood, Ph.D
Acting Associate Dean & Director
UK Cooperative Extension Service

S-107 Ag. Science Center North Lexington, KY 40546-0091

+1 (859) 257-4302

craig.wood@uky.edu

Impacts

Contact Information

Craig Wood, Ph.D
Acting Associate Dean & Director
UK Cooperative Extension Service

S-107 Ag. Science Center North Lexington, KY 40546-0091

+1 (859) 257-4302

craig.wood@uky.edu




Fiscal Year:
Jul 1, 2024 - Jun 30, 2025


Success StoryWalktober Fitness Challenge



Walktober Fitness Challenge

Author: Roger "Darrell" Simpson

Planning Unit: Muhlenberg County CES

Major Program: Building Healthy Coalitions

Plan of Work: Unrelated to a specified County Plan of Work

Outcome: Initial Outcome

Low levels of physical activity, unhealthy nutrition, and poor mental health are all determinants of several chronic diseases. These behaviors are now considered major public health concerns and require effective behavior change interventions. FitBlue is a community-based campaign to increase physical activity and health awareness in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.  As participants use the FitBlue app, they have tools to transition to a more active lifestyle focusing on eating healthier, moving more, and practicing mindfulness. As a collaborative effort to improve and increase physical activity among residents in the Pennyrile Area, the Pennyrile Area Family and Consumer Sciences Agents  and this Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources implemented Walktober, a four-week walking challenge, using the FitBlue app. Through this program, participants focused on improving health behaviors by making lifestyle choices to increase physical activity and eat nutritious meals. 94 adults completed this program. Program participants were surveyed following the program. 95% of surveyed participants became aware of the benefits of regular physical activity, 92% reported having gained the knowledge and skills to be physically activity, and 86 % reported an increase in physical activity levels. Concerning overall health status, 53% of participants noticed an improvement in one or more health indicators (cholesterol, blood pressure, body mass index, blood glucose). In addition to individual behavior change, 51 % reported being more aware of places in their community to access nutritious foods. At the completion of the program, most participants cited encouragement, motivation, and accountability as their favorite aspects of the challenge.  One participant stated, “It made me get out nearly every day to walk, and I even got a friend to walk with me as well.” Another participant stated, “I loved the accountability and wanting to do more and more walking.  It made me feel better.” 






Stories by Roger "Darrell" Simpson


Managing Feeding Issues When Utilizing Co and By Products for Beef Cattle

about 13 days ago by Roger "Darrell" Simpson

Describe the Issue or Situation. Due to the increased number of distilleries and grain crops in the ... Read More


Marketing Grain Crops to enhance Profitability

about 23 days ago by Roger "Darrell" Simpson

Describe the Issue or Situation. Low prices for grain crops in 2024 and probably 2025 make it impera... Read More


Stories by Muhlenberg County CES


Tot Time

Tot Time

about 23 days ago by Alex Kelly

Tot Time was a new program designed to support young children in preparing for preschool by enhancin... Read More


Your Guide to the Four H's

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about 23 days ago by Mackenzie Pogue

Youth actively participated in Your Guide to the Four Hs learning essential life skills to aid in th... Read More