The connection between obesity and lack of physical activity has been long documented. According to County Health Ranking and Roadmaps, recent data shows that 29% of Kentuckians reported participating in no physical activity outside of work. Kentucky’s obesity rate is 37%.

In Christian County, the percentage of adults who reported no leisure-time activity is 33% and the obesity rate is 38%.

The Christian County Senior Nutrition Education Program assistant taught the Healthy Choices for Every Body curriculum at a local Veterans Center. Besides teaching classes about healthy eating habits, food safety, cooking skills and food budgeting, the assistant discussed the importance of physical activity and how we need to balance healthy eating and physical activity to be fit overall.

According to pre and posts questionnaires, 89% of participants improved in one or more physical activity behaviors with 67% exercising for at least 30 minutes more daily and 78% strengthening muscles more times a week. In addition, 100% of participants showed improvement in diet quality, 78% showed improvement in food resource management skills and 67% improved in food safety practices.