About Us

"Welcome to the source that can help you change your life! I don't think there is a magic pill that can get you in shape, help you lose weight, or get your heart healthy. What you need is the desire to change unhealthy habits and information to help you do it! The Check Your Health experts have everything you need: nutrition information, easy exercises, food diaries, healthy snacks for kids, and more - all to help you get started. Add this site to your "favorites" list, and use it often!" -Mary Nickles, KUTV 2News Fresh Air This Morning

Check Your Health is a partnership among the Utah Department of Health, Intermountain Healthcare and KUTV 2News Fresh Air. We are dedicated to improving the quality of life of all Utahns by providing information and opportunities to those who want to learn about living a healthy lifestyle.

History of Check Your Health

In 1992, the Utah Department of Health joined with Intermountain Healthcare and KUTV to partner in a health promotion program aimed at improving the overall health of its Utah residents. The purpose was to provide information to all Utahns to help them overcome barriers that prevented them from checking and improving their health. The campaign reminded everyone which health screenings were needed and when you should get them.

With over half (56%) of all Utah adults and one in four children overweight or obese, the Check Your Health campaign changed direction in 2000. Today, Check Your Health is focused on obesity prevention for all age groups. We encourage all Utahns to adopt healthy eating habits by establishing regular family mealtimes, eating correct portion sizes and making wise food choices. Check Your Health also encourages all Utahns to "be active." By that, we mean that you should spend less time being still, and more time on your feet walking, running, cycling, swimming, dancing, or just plain having fun!

Obesity in Utah is a problem that is getting worse every day.

• In 2009, more than half of Utah adults (59.5%) were overweight or obese (Utah BRFSS 2009).
• The number of those overweight or obese is greater than the population of the entire SL Valley (adults and children).
• In 2008, 1,156,000 adult Utahns were overweight or obese and 461,000 were obese.
• Significantly more men (67.5%) were overweight or obese in Utah than women (52.4%, Utah BRFSS 2008).
• Over one in five elementary age Utah children are overweight or obese (21.5%, Utah child height and weight study 2008).

Our families, communities, schools, worksites, health care systems, and the media must unite to make the healthy choice the easy choice at home, school, work , and play.