In Whitley County, 28% of adults did not participate in any physically activity or exercised during the past month, between 2018 -2020. Based on the percentage of adults in Whitley County consuming five or more fruits & vegetables per day there was only 9%, and 36% of the adults in Whitley County are considered as having “less than good health.”

(BRFSS (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (DC) and Kentucky Department for Public Health, Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance System Data as analyzed at the county level by the University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Control Program and College of Public Health).

In 2020, 33% of Whitley County’s adult population were considered obese, and 36% was considered physically inactive.  (2019 County and Road Maps)   

Physical Activity along with consuming enough fruits and vegetables is part of an overall healthy diet.   A diet rich in fruits, veggies and overall healthy eating, helps reduce the risk of many chronic diseases including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, some cancers and obesity.  

In order to address the importance of physical activity and overall good health, the EFNEP (Expanded Food and Nutrition Program) Assistant, conducted classes from the Healthy Choices for Every Body Curriculum.  Emphasis placed on healthy eating was done by using the “My Plate,” as a visual aid and helped those in attendance better understand the importance of overall healthy eating incorporated into meals and SNACKS.  Physical activity was made possible even for those individuals that basically are limited to a chair so activities allowed for chair exercises and those activities were conducted in a unique classroom setting.     

The EFNEP Assistant conducted many programs from the “Healthy Choices for Every Body” Curriculum with 16 limited resource clients.  Using the University of Kentucky Nutrition Education Curriculum and USDA resources, programs were conducted at various times for clients’ convenience.  During the program, food safety, resource management, the importance of physical activity were just some of the topics discussed at length, along with actual “hands-on” food prep and sampling done with the clients.

16 adults ranging in ages from their early twenties to late forties, completing the program showing  100% in at least one positive change in their nutrition.  As class was coming to a close on one particular day, a client remarked, “I always look forward to this class and count from one week until the next, when I will be able to again attend this class, and the reason is because who knew healthy recipes could taste so good!”