Live the challenge: 100 days to better health

Kern County ranks 58th among California’s 58 counties when it comes to preventing heart disease, and 57th in diabetes, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. In Kern, 6 out of 10 residents are considered obese. Looking to reverse these disturbing health trends, The California Endowment’s “Building Healthy Communities” initiative launched its “Live the Challenge” campaign, which looks to encourage residents to adopt healthier lifestyles. The January 29^th event drew upwards of 200 Kern County residents, many of who took on the campaign’s challenge of pledging to sustain healthy lifestyle changes for 100 days. At the end of the 100-day period, participants will join in a 5k ‘fun run’ and fair in Lamont. “Exercise and only eat homemade food. And enough protein but not too much.” What healthy change will you make for the next 100 days? Residents respond on South Kern Sol.