There’s no sense sugar coating it. Despite lots of media attention, countless studies and numerous public initiatives, Americans continue to deal with the consequences of inactive lifestyles and unhealthy behaviors, leading to increased health care costs and lower levels of workplace productivity.

Issues like obesity, high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes and decreased mobility are often linked to poor lifestyle choices, especially when it comes to exercise and nutrition. And these negative consequences know no boundaries to anyone — no matter their age, gender, ethnicity, geographic location, profession or socioeconomic status.

Despite the common stereotype of a hard-working, healthy lifestyle, farmers (and their families) aren’t immune to health-related issues. In fact, studies have shown that rural residents are now worse off than their urban counterparts when it comes to obesity.

A 2012 Gallup-Healthways study that ranked occupation types by obesity levels found...