The most recent CDC Data report states, the obesity rate for Greenup County is 35%. Greenup County is in the top 10 counties for other health diseases, such as heart disease and 16% of Greenup County adults suffer from diabetes. Research has shown there is a natural link between nutrition, physical activity, and behaviors toward healthy lifestyles. The Greenup County Extension Family and Consumers Sciences Agent along with the Snap- Ed assistant collaborated to hold a ten week series that was provided to the community at the Greenup Extension office.

Twenty two participants attended “Weight the Reality Series”, a 10 week series focused on self-discovery, skill-building and support to help adults learn more about themselves and their body image.  The Snap-Ed assistant and FCS Agent utilized the Healthy Choices for Everybody curriculum and the Weight the Reality Series curriculum as the basis for this program.  The focus was for participants to gain knowledge in areas related to portion control, meal planning, having a balanced diet, and the importance of physical activity. 

The participants of the series as a group, lost a total of 209 pounds over the 10 sessions provided.  They also gained the knowledge and skills of weight management, including making meaningful changes to enhance their overall well-being. 91% of the participants reported an increase in their consumption of fruit and vegetables on a daily basis.  88% of the participants showed an increase in their daily physical activity levels. 

One participant stated “She felt like she had gained a lot of wonderful information, which was very beneficial to her overall health. This knowledge was used to implement necessary lifestyle changes including weight management and portion control.”