Physical Activity and Nutrition Program

The Kentucky Department for Public Health Physical Activity and Nutrition Program focuses on preventing obesity by supporting policy and environmental strategies to make healthy eating and active living accessible and affordable for everyone in Kentucky.

Healthy Behaviors

Individuals are healthier when their communities offer access to healthy, affordable food and safe places to be physically active. The Physical Activity and Nutrition Program supports policies, programs and environmental changes that make the healthy choice the easy choice for individuals. So what is the healthy choice?

Physical Activity

Regular physical activity is associated with a healthier lifestyle, but any amount of physical activity is better than none. The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans offer specific recommendations for children and adolescents, adults, older adults and people with special needs. Adults should get both aerobic and muscle-strengthening activity:

• 30 minutes of moderate activity like a brisk walk at least five times a week or 20 minutes of vigorous activity like cycling, jogging or running three times a week
• Combine weight training and stretching two or more days a week

Nutrition

Food and nutrition play a crucial role in health promotion and chronic disease prevention. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans offer specific recommendations for families. For active healthy lifestyles, adults should:

• Eat five fruits and vegetables a day
• Drink plenty of water
• Balance calories consumed with calories burned through physical activity
• Make healthier food choices by following ChooseMyPlate.gov
• Limit your salt, refined sugars, caffeine and alcohol consumption
• Breastfeeding is the best source of nutrition for most infants and can reduce the risk for some short- and long-term health conditions for both infants and mothers.

Obesity

Body weight higher than what is considered a healthy weight for a given height is described as overweight or obese. At an individual level, body mass index can be used as a screening tool but does not diagnosis the body composition or health of an individual. A trained healthcare provider should perform appropriate health assessments to evaluate individual health status and risks.

Both physical activity and quality nutrition help reduce the risk of developing other chronic diseases and expensive health conditions like diabetes, stroke, arthritis, sleep apnea, asthma, heart attack and certain cancers.

Partnerships

We have collaborated with many partners on statewide initiatives, including:

• 5-2-1-0 Healthy Numbers for Kentucky Families
• Breastfeeding-Friendly Environments
• Farmers Market Support Program and Double Dollars
• Active People Healthy Kentucky

Kentucky receives funding through The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to support chronic disease prevention by coordinating efforts that control diabetes, heart disease and stroke, prevent obesity and promote school health. The strategies to prevent chronic health conditions focus on creating healthy environments in worksites, schools, early childhood education facilities, state and local government agencies and the community.

For more information on the specific strategies and resources Kentucky uses, please visit The Partnership for a Fit Kentucky.