Poor nutrition and physical inactivity are tied to obesity. According to the 2020 data from the County Health Rankings and Roadmaps website, the adult physical inactivity rate in Pulaski County is 33%. Obesity has been shown to contribute to major health issues including high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, elevated blood cholesterol levels, low self-esteem, and negative body image. 

To address these concerns, a seven-session program using the Healthy Choices for Every Body curriculum was conducted by the Pulaski County Cooperative Extension Service SNAP-Ed (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education) assistant for SNAP eligible individuals.

The Nutrition Education Program assistant taught weekly group lessons at Sky Hope Recovery Center, the focus was the importance of physical activity. The program also addressed food preparation, food resource management, and food safety.  Each class included a cooking demonstration and tasting of a healthy recipe.

Twenty female participants, ranging in age from 27 to 52 completed the program.  At the end of the program, written evaluation showed that three-fourths (75%) of the participants exercised for at least 30 minutes more during the week, over half (65%) worked on strengthening muscles more days a week, and almost all (95%) made small changes to be more active more often.   One participant shared, “I feel better and have more energy since I started exercising more”.