There is a continued need to promote physical activity among Kentucky families.  According to the CDC, 29.7% of Kentucky’s adults reported that during the past month, they had not participated in any physical activity, and only 21.4% of Kentucky children and teens were physically active for at least 60 minutes per day on each of the 7 days prior to the survey.

Being physically active is an important component of overall health, and contributes significantly to individuals’ physical and mental well-being.  In an effort to promote health and well-being in Kentucky, the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Family and Consumer Sciences Family Health Specialist provides a variety of resources to Family and Consumer Sciences Agents and community members as a whole that support physical activity.

One such resource is the FitBlue app, which tracks participants' steps over a period of time.   This past year (2022-2023), 19 counties offered FitBlue step challenges, and engaged 329 participants in step challenges, to get as many steps as possible in a certain amount of time.   These participants combined walked 23,632,006 steps, which equals approximately 11,253 miles!  Five counties offered physical activity challenges on the Goalify app, and engaged 107 participants in tracking a total of 52,516 minutes of physical activity. Additionally, a reported 9,566 individuals participated in an Extension-sponsored 5K, fun-run, or other one-day walking/running event.  

All of these events and activities are valuable to Kentucky communities, as they promote movement and provide opportunities for Kentuckians to be physically active.