New UArizona App Connects Pinal County Residents with Ways to Build Healthier Lives
Developed with the Pinal County Public Health Services District and AZ Health Zone, Pinal Healthy & Active offers food, exercise, and fun options.
A new University of Arizona Cooperative Extension collaboration with county and state health organizations is easing the path toward a healthier lifestyle for some Arizona residents.
The Pinal Healthy & Active app, developed with the Pinal County Public Health Services District and AZ Health Zone, is a comprehensive guide to staying active, eating healthy foods, and connecting with health-oriented groups and activities in the central Arizona county.
The new wellness tool comes at a time when nearly one-fifth of youths and a third of adults in the U.S. are obese and at increased risk for type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, cancer, and depression, according to the National Institutes of Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
"We know regular physical activity and healthy eating can contribute to the reduction of chronic diseases," said Jan Vidimos, Pinal County Community Health Division Manager.
"But life can be busy sometimes, and that's where this app shines. Need a quick meal idea during the week? You can find it. Looking for something fun to do on the weekend? The app has lots of options for events and activities to get you moving."
Pinal Healthy & Active includes maps of parks (including hours and amenities), farmers markets (including lists of seasonal produce you might expect to see), and other family-friendly events. It includes a sport-by-sport guide that tells users where to hike, bike, play pickleball, and more – with links to leagues.
There are also more than 200 recipes for healthy breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and drinks, each with detailed nutrition information.
"Working alongside Pinal County and AZ Health Zone to leverage technology and bring about improved health outcomes has been a rewarding experience. The app truly embodies our mission to improve lives, families, and communities,” said Cathy Martinez, Pinal County Extension Director, who is a Family and Consumer Health Sciences Extension Agent.