Fit Blue Kentucky Challenge

Low levels of physical activity, unhealthy nutrition, and poor mental health are all determinants of several chronic diseases. These behaviors are now considered major public health concerns and require effective behavior change interventions. Fit Blue is a community-based campaign to increase physical activity and health awareness in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Building physical activity into the day does not require special equipment or a certain location. As participants take part in Fit Blue, they have tools to transition to a more active lifestyle focusing on eating healthier, moving more, and practicing mindfulness.

A smartphone-based application (FitBlueKY) is a four-week walking challenge focused on increasing participant’s participation in regular physical activity, choosing a nutritious diet, and improving health outcomes for Kentucky citizens. As an innovative strategy to improve and increase movement with Clark County residents, the Family and Consumer Sciences Agent partnered with The Clark County Activity Coalition and offered a Fit Blue Challenge in conjunction with the annual Clark County Wellness Challenge.

Through this program, participants focus on improving health behaviors by making lifestyle choices to increase physical activity and eat nutritious meals. Fifty six adults participated in this program in conjunction with an activity challenge happening in the county. As a result of this program, 65% of the participants reported meeting their Wellness Challenge goal of stepping an average of 4,000 steps per day throughout the challenge. In a post-program report, 60% of the participants indicated becoming more aware of the benefits of regular physical activity and as a result nearly 95% of the participants in the challenge reported an increase in physical activity levels.