Battle of the Border Challenge

Low levels of physical activity, unhealthy nutrition, and poor mental health are all determinants of several chronic diseases. These behaviors are considered major public health concerns and require effective behavior change interventions. To help address this during a pandemic, the Daviess County Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agent collaborated with the Purdue Extension- Perry & Spencer Counties Health and Human Sciences Educator to have virtual steps challenge, Battle of the Border. This would be a way to get people moving and have a friendly competition between Kentucky and Indiana.

Team Kentucky and Team Indiana utilized the UK Fitblue App to record their steps during a six-        week period. The agents recorded a video for participants explaining the program and information on starting slow, importance of stretching and staying safe while doing physical activity as well as easy ways to get steps in during the day.

Use of the Fitblue app allowed participants to have access to healthy recipes, locate Farmers Markets, and exercises. Fourteen participants stepped over 1,175 miles (2,937,455 Steps) in six weeks! Many follow up comments from participants were that “they loved this challenge got them back in the habit of walking and being more aware of getting more steps in the day,” “they loved the challenge,” “competition,” “recipes and ease of using the Fitblue app.”