About half of all Americans have at least 1 of the 3 predominant risk factors for heart disease, high blood pressure, high low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, or current smoking. In addition, multiple other increasingly common factors increase heart disease risk. These include having diabetes, overweight or obesity, eating an unhealthy diet, being less physically active. https://health.gov/news/202302/heart-health.

Through a collaboration between the Owsley County Extension office and the Owsley County Parks and Recreation center, the SNAP-Ed assistant provided participants a chance to taste a calendar recipe, healthy choices for everybody lessons as well as physical activity in the form or walking laps at the local rec center.  The participants enjoyed the recipes and lessons and also have made improvements in their physical activity by walking more laps in less time since the program started.

With the help of preparing healthier food and increasing physical activity these participants are well on their way to improving their heart health as well as their overall health.