Perry County Health Department

121 West Brown Street New Lexington, OH 43764 (740)342-5179

 

Obesity Program

The Obesity Prevention program is working to improve access to healthy foods and increase the opportunity for people to be physically active in Perry County.  Most people know that eating fresh fruits and vegetables along with exercising will help them stay healthy, but actually doing it isn’t always so easy.  Maybe you don’t live close to a grocery store that sells fresh fruits and vegetables or don’t have a safe place to go for a walk.  It is barriers like these that the Obesity Prevention program is working to change.

There will be more options for getting out and exercising as the Perry County Health Department has partnered with the Glenford Lions Club to construct a one mile walking trail on the Glenford Lions Club property.  Construction will begin as soon as weather permits.  In addition, outdoor fitness stations will be installed in Thornville this spring. 

A community garden will be planted at Sheridan High School, which will provide the opportunity for exercise and education as experienced gardeners pass on their knowledge to younger generations. The fresh produce from the garden can either be sold at a local farmer’s market or can be kept and used by the gardeners.  The Sheridan FFA Chapter will be planting and maintaining a garden at Sheridan High School while school is in session and will be selling the produce at the Farmers Market.  If you are interested in working in the garden and selling the produce at the Farmers Market during the summer, please contact us.
 
The final piece of the Obesity Prevention program will be to bring together community members, businesses and agencies to look at more positive changes that can be made in Perry County to help reduce the number of overweight and obese people.  These partners will work together over the next several months to look at what resources already exist in Perry County and what areas need developed in order to help decrease the rate of obesity in the county.
               
 If you would like to be involved or would like additional information please contact Angela DeRolph at 740-342-5179 ext. 232 Monday-Friday from 7:00-5:00 or via e-mail at adunson@perryhealth.com.