According to data from the Centers for Disease Control’s County Diabetes Atlas, 34.6% of adults 18 years and over in Russell County were obese between 2012 and 2014. High obesity rates have been linked to many health related problems including stroke and heart disease. In order to address this, a Healthy Choices for Every Body program was conducted by the Russell County Cooperative Extension Service SNAP-Ed (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education) assistant for SNAP eligible individuals. The focus included nutrition education and physical activity. The Nutrition Education Program assistant conducted multiple programs to 64 limited resource families. The programs addressed food safety, food resource management, food preparation, food choices and health. Monthly programs were conducted at various locations including the housing authority, community center and the judicial center. 

Sixty-four participants attended seven or more programs and completed the program. Reports indicated that almost all (98%) of participants made positive changes in their nutrition (eating more fruits and vegetables), 78% plan meals in advance, and 92% made small changes to be active more often. One participant shared, “I have lost over twenty pounds since I’ve been coming to your class.  I realized that I need to eat better, so now I eat more fruits and vegetable and less sugar and fat.”