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 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.”