According to the Kentucky County Healthcare Profiles in Harlan County 32.5% of adults are obese and last years reported that 35% of adults were obese. 15.3% of adults have diabetes and the health rankings show that 27% stated that they have poor or fair health and Harlan is ranked #114 overall in the state of Kentucky which is down by 2 from 2017 reports. 

Exercise reduces risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and some cancer.  Increase of energy can improve your mental and overall well-being.  Harlan County Extension promoted a 8-week walking program challenging participants to walk at least 3 days a week for 30 minutes per day or to be active for at least 30 minutes per day.  850 participants participated in the program with 83% of participants completing.  The participants turned in weekly walking logs that described how they chose to be active for the week and how long they were active.  Exercise activities were offered at the Extension office one day per week where participants could engage in simple walking exercises as well as chair exercise. Out of the participants they had a combined total of 105,424 minutes of exercise by walking, biking, running, swimming and various exercise programs. Some other stats are:

66 participants had diabetes

122 participants had arthritis

138 stated the program got them active and helped them begin to exercise

130 participants increased exercise

42 were able to find a group to be active in

81 stated that it kept them going and held accountable

46 participants said it increased time with their families

68 helped to motivate family & friends

126 had an increased in energy

77 decreased sedentary time.

 The Get Moving Kentucky physical activity based program educated community members on the importance of exercise, health benefits and healthier eating choices to help participants not only educate themselves in being more physically active but also to make better eating choices as they do.  Participants were eligible for a prize for those who completed the challenge.

Some of the participants stated the following, “Being active on this program has kept me accountable and paid more attention to my activities throughout the day.”  “Motivated me to exercise and to get my family active with me.”