Dominique Van Pelt of the Onslow County Health Department encouraged residents to adopt small, sustainable changes for 2026 that improve nutrition, physical activity and mental health. Van Pelt referenced the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendation of 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week (for example, 30 minutes five days a week or two 15-minute brisk walks).

On nutrition, Van Pelt suggested portion control, adding fruits and vegetables and moderating sweets rather than eliminating favorite foods. She recommended breaking physical activity into manageable chunks (e.g., two 15-minute brisk walks) and using county parks for regular movement.

Van Pelt also recommended simple mental-health practices such as positive affirmations and gratitude as supports for well-being. She provided departmental contact information ((910) 347-2154), said the Onslow County Health Department is on Instagram and Facebook, and offered the community relations email community_relations@onslowcountync.gov for invitations or outreach requests.

The guidance is framed as preventive, community-facing health education rather than new policy or programs.