According to the Center for Disease Control 30% of Kentucky adults report getting no physical activity and over ½ are overweight.  With the onset of the pandemic in 2020 many families were not getting any physical activity and adding on weight by stress eating.  With the importance of physical activity in maintaining a healthier life, the Laurel County Family and Consumer Sciences agent offered a 12-week newsletter based walking program designed for families who have not been physically active in a while.  26 families with 77 total participants received weekly newsletters to encourage walking and received incentives to engage families in walking and physical activity.  Due to COVID 19 participants were encouraged to exercise as a family and to keep physical distance when using local parks and walking areas.

A written survey was administered at the end of the program.  As a direct result of the Couch Potato Challenge:

• 90% of participants increased their physical activity levels
• 100% agreed that they are more aware of the benefits of regular physical activity
• 90% learned the skills to be physical active
• 100% have developed a more positive attitude towards physical activity
• 70% were more physically active with family and/or friends
• 70% lost weight
• 44% improved one or more of their health indicators (cholesterol, blood pressure, body mass index, or blood glucose)
• 87% are more aware of places in the community to be physically active
• 100% plan to get 30 minutes of physical activity most days of the week after the program ends

One participant commented “If I didn’t have Couch Potato I don’t think I would do anything. “