Partnership for a Fit Pike County is a collection of public/private community partners who supports a healthy future workforce for Pike County by promoting healthy lifestyles.

Why was this coalition formed?

1. The ongoing community assessment process MAPP (Mobilizing for Action through Planning & Partnership), identified drugs, health, and the environment as the leading public concerns in Pike County.
2. A 2004/2006 survey conducted by the Pike County Health Department revealed that 56% of Pike County students are overweight/obese by sixth grade.  This rate is virtually double the state and national average, which is considered to be at epidemic proportions.

What is the focus of this group?

1. The group’s focus is to mobilize and partner with the local communities in creating a safe environment, healthy citizens and a thriving economy by bringing awareness to available resources and actively promoting healthy behaviors. 

Why are obesity rates in Pike County students important?

1. Children are Pike County’s greatest resource.
2. As previously stated, 56% of sixth grade students in Pike County are overweight/obese.
3. The American Medical Association has stated that socially, physically and psychologically, an obese child’s quality of life is as low as that of a child being treated for cancer.
4. Children who have poor quality of life are at greater risk to abuse drugs, alcohol and tobacco.
5. Pike County children are currently developing the health problems commonly associated with obesity in later adulthood, i.e. diabetes, high cholesterol, heart disease, asthma, hypertension, etc.
6. Chronic illnesses that develop in childhood directly lead to premature disability and death.
7. Chronic illnesses such as those listed above, contribute to excessive sick days for employees, resulting in poor productivity levels and loss of revenue for businesses in the short term.  However, this trend will result in a lack of healthy individuals who are capable of maintaining a job, ultimately resulting in a nonexistent pool of employees and an overall failing economy.

Why work with this partnership?

1. Current efforts are not sufficient to reverse the growing trend of childhood obesity in Pike County.  Therefore, we need to join together to address this problem with a community wide approach.  We can make a difference!
2. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recently stated that, for the first time, American children face a shorter life expectancy than their parents, due to diseases associated with obesity and lack of physical activity, such as diabetes, heart disease and stroke.
3. Obesity is not just a healthcare problem it is a major economic problem for the community. 
4. The 56% of sixth grade students who are overweight/obese today are representative of the generation who will soon make up a large part of the workforce in Pike County.

Summary…
Big Sandy Area Development District includes Pike, Floyd, Johnson, Martin, and Magoffin Counties.  Pike County represents a majority of the district considering it is only slightly smaller in population than the other four counties combined.  This district has the highest rate in the state regarding obesity, overweight, mental distress, asthma, arthritis, smoking for adults, and least physically active.  In conclusion, Pike County is on the verge of a major economic crisis resulting not from an obesity epidemic but from an epidemic a poor nutrition and lack of physical activity.