Healthy eating is essential to promoting good heart health. Park and recreation agencies are committed to providing their community, not only with a multitude of fitness options but, also, with access to healthy eating and cooking classes. Eighty-percent of park and rec agencies provide health and wellness education. This includes programs such as Commit to Health, which supports the implementation of Healthy Eating and Physical Activity (HEPA) standards at park and rec agencies across the country. While learning at home/online is the preferred way to access this essential information by many millennials and Gen Xers, baby boomers are more likely to look outside the home.

Key Findings

• Three in four Americans are interested in participating in healthy eating or cooking classes
• Baby boomers are more likely go outside the home to learn about healthy eating and cooking
• One in four Americans are interested in participating in healthy eating or cooking classes at their local rec or community center
• One in five seniors are interested in participating in healthy eating or cooking classes at their local senior center
• Parents are more likely to participate in healthy eating or cooking classes at their local rec or community center compared to non-parents (32 percent vs 23 percent)