Based on statistics gained from Kentucky Health Facts, 36% of adults in Mason County are obese and 75% are overweight. This is well above the state averages of 34% and 68%, respectively. 36% of adults in Mason County (compared to the 32% in Kentucky) report a lack of physical activity. According to the Mayo Clinic, physical activity and a healthy diet has many benefits including reaching and maintaining a healthy weight, preventing or managing health conditions like heart disease, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes, strengthening bones and muscles, and improving one’s mood. 

Based on the relationship between levels of obese and overweight individuals and poor health statistics, Mason County Family Consumer Science (FCS) Agent decided to hold Weight the Reality Series. Weight the Reality Series is an 11 week program that includes self-discovery, skill building, and support to help adults learn more about themselves and their body image. The materials used in Weight the Reality Series are evidence based.

At the beginning of the program, there were 16 participants. By the end of the 11 weeks, 9 participants remained. The evaluation results are based upon the 9 participants who completed all 11 weeks of the program. 100% of the participants lost weight during the program. 33% lost 5% or more of their body weight. 33% met the goal that they set for themselves over the program. One participant went from having an unhealthy BMI classifying her as overweight (26.4) to have a healthy BMI (25). A total of 57 pounds were lost by the entire group. 

The recipes were a big hit among the group. One participant said she made the vegetable soup for dinner and her husband and son went back for seconds! Another participant stated that she was glad she learned eating habits that she would continue to carry out that didn’t involve counting calories. After the last session, a participant said, “I’ve really enjoyed this program. I ended up losing almost 10 pounds and my clothes are fitting looser now.”