Extension
It Starts With Us
Promote Safety, Health, Wellness and Good Nutrition
Making Healthy Lifestyle Choices
Lora Davidson, Raymond Cox, Jeremy Williams
Active Living and Health Promotions General
Substance Use Prevention and Recovery General
Kentucky adult obesity rates rank among the 10 highest in the US and Kentucky youth rank among the 10 highest for obesity in the US. Harlan County's health risk is high but can be lowered. According to the "County Health Rankings and Roadmaps" Harlan County is ranked 117 out of 120 counties in measuring the "most health counties." From those numbers, 38% of adults are obese, 40% are inactive, and only 44% have access to exercise opportunities. Obesity is a major factor for many chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and cancer. Increased consumption of unhealthy foods, stress and lack of physical activity are largely responsible for obesity.
Increase in the practice and promotion of physical activity and healthy eating daily. Manage and prevent the risk and premature death related to diabetes, cancer, heart disease, stroke and hypertension. A decrease in the number of youth and adults participating in substance abuse.
Individuals will prepare more meals at home. Individuals will increase their food availability by personal gardening or community systems. Individuals engage in regular physical activity. Individuals will grow, care for, produce and preserve foods from personal gardens and orchards to gain access to healthy foods. Individuals engage in good food safety practices. Individuals demonstrate food preparation skills. Individuals utilize community support systems that provide access to healthy foods. Practice healthy lifestyles decision-making that strengthens individuals ability to cope with normal life stressors.
Individuals will be able to identify the components of a healthy diet as refined by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Individuals will recognized the importance of physical activity as part of a healthy lifestyle. Individuals will develop skills and knowledge to grow their own garden and preserve that food. Individuals will describe food preparations techniques. Individuals will be able to describe food safety practices.
Initial Outcome: Families will increase knowledge, skills and attitudes related to healthy life skill choice, food preservation and food safety.
Indicator: Number of people eating more healthy foods. Number of people participating in physical activity.
Method: Formal and informal surveys, word of mouth
Timeline: Throughout year
Intermediate Outcome: Families practice healthy food choices and physical activities.
Indicator: Number of people that report eating healthier foods, more fruits and vegetables. The number of people participating in Get Moving Kentucky and other physical activities.
Method: Formal/informal survey, enrollment forms.
Timeline: Throughout year
Long-term Outcome: Increase physical activity and consumption of healthier foods in Harlan County.
Indicator: Reduce chronic disease rates in county.
Method: Surveys, statistics
Timeline: Throughout year
Audience: Families, Adults, Groups
Project or Activity: Fit Blue/Get Moving Kentucky
Content or Curriculum: FCS Curriculum
Inputs: Staff, health professionals and agencies
Date: Throughout year
Audience: Adults
Project or Activity: Diabetes Programs, Diabetes Coalition, Cooking School
Content or Curriculum: Dining with Diabetes, recipes, Diabetes Self-Management, Plate It Up Kentucky Proud
Inputs: Staff, registered dietitians, health department
Date: Throughout Year
Audience: Students
Project or Activity: Truth or Consequences
Content or Curriculum: Truth or Consequences Curriculum
Inputs: Staff, county leaders, volunteers
Date: Fall or Spring
Audience: Students
Project or Activity: Safety Day
Content or Curriculum: 4H Curriculum
Inputs: Staff, agencies, leaders, volunteers
Date: Spring
Audience: Adults
Project or Activity: Holiday Cooking School
Content or Curriculum: Recipes
Inputs: WTA FCS Agents
Date: November
Audience: Adults
Project or Activity: Food Preservation
Content or Curriculum: Food Preservation publications
Inputs: Staff
Date: Summer
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: 4H Family Fun Night, Poke Sallet Fun Day,
Content or Curriculum: 4H publications, LEAP
Inputs: Staff, teachers, volunteers, leaders
Date: Throughout year
Audience: 5th & 6th Grades
Project or Activity: Bicycle and ATV Safety
Content or Curriculum: 4H publications
Inputs: Staff, volunteers, teachers, leaders
Date: Fall or Spring
Audience:
Project or Activity:
Content or Curriculum:
Inputs:
Date:
Author: Raymond Cox
Major Program: Health
The Harlan County 4-H Council and the 4-H Program identified a need for more students and adults to become interested and involved in a structured fitness program due to an overwhelming number of overweight students identified from the school's Fitness Fairs. These Fitness Fairs are conducted in all schools in Harlan County and Harlan Independent by Appalachian Regional Hospital, the 4-H program, and the Family Resource Centers. The Fitness Fairs also identified and alarming number of elemen
Author: Lora Davidson
Major Program: Cook Wild Kentucky
In Eastern parts of Kentucky we have an abundance of different types of wild game that can be harvested. Although a large number of wild game can be harvested, there is a lack of knowledge on how to prepare the meats. Wild game houses numerous health benefits, from lower fat levels to high amounts of iron and zinc, wild game is shown to be a healthier protein source when compared to beef. Price wise it's cheaper than purchasing your protein at the butcher or grocery store.The ser
Author: Lora Davidson
Major Program: Food Preparation and Preservation
Surviving the Holiday Season, especially during a pandemic can be stressful and hard on families. They are looking for ways to feed and celebrate with their families safely. The University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service, Wilderness Trail Area Family and Consumer Sciences Agents partnered together to implement Holiday Cooking School in a Box to help alleviate the stress and provide them with tools and tips to get them through these unprecedent times.The program was conducted in B
Author: Jeremy Williams
Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home
Harlan County has historically ranked high in the number of chronic illnesses rates, statewide. To help educate citizens in heathy eating habits, the Family and Consumer Science and Agriculture and Natural Resources agents are working with the University of Kentucky Superfund Community Engagement Core (UK-CEC). The Harlan County Extension Council helped in bringing seven families to participate in the four year BerryCare program. Families initially learned how to plant and gro
