Encouraging the Adoption of Healthy Lifestyles and Health Maintenance
Health and Wellness
Adkins, O'Bryan, Sigmon, Williams
Substance Use Prevention and Recovery General
Food Preparation and Preservation
Nutrition and Food Systems General
Active Living and Health Promotions General
The obesity epidemic threatens the quality and years of life of Kentuckians. The obesity rate in Kentucky increased 90 percent over the last 15 years and thirty percent of individuals in the Commonwealth report no leisure-time physical activity. These individuals are at an increased risk for many chronic health conditions, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some types of cancers. Increased consumption of unhealthy food, stress, and built environments that promote physical inactivity are largely responsible for the obesity epidemic. As a result, Kentuckians, including youth, are dying from heart disease and cancer at higher rates than all Americans and they have a lower life expectancy, 75.5 years, compared to 78 years for Americans. Besides high obesity rates, Kentucky youth are also facing high rates of substance abuse, bullying and safety concerns. Early substance use in childhood/adolescence affects later drug use.
- the prevention and/or reduction of substance use and its related consequences
- routinely meeting physical activity and dietary recommendations that promote health and wellness
- reduce the rate of chronic disease and obesity
- increased access to healthy food via local farmers market, food retailers and/or home gardens
- generate positive attitudes toward changing lifestyle choices and dietary decisions to be more healthy
- reduce stigma on substance abuse from local community members
- employ healthful cooking methods, feeding practices, and food preservation techniques
- improve food and nutrition-related skills (i.e. gardening, preparation, and preservation techniques, and safe food handling)
- increase awareness about lifestyle choices and chronic disease
- increased knowledge of substance use prevention, addiction and recovery
Initial Outcome: Participants will gain knowledge of healthy lifestyle choices.
Indicator: Individuals, families and groups will invest time and resources in delivering the programs
Method: survey
Timeline: July - June
Intermediate Outcome: Participants will make healthier food choices and increase the amount of physical activity in their lives.
Indicator: Behavioral changes will lead to improvement in the quality of life.
Method: pre-post test evaluation
Timeline: July-June
Long-term Outcome: Community health and economy is strengthened through efforts of local leadership
Indicator: There will be a measurable decline in obesity, chronic disease and substance use among citizens in Laurel County.
Method: Number of local policy changes as a result of Extension programs
Timeline: July-June
Audience: 4-H Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Healthy Foods, Cooking and Food Preservation
Content or Curriculum: Teen Cuisine, Put it Up, Cooking 101, microwave cooking
Inputs: 4-H Agents, 4-H assistant, volunteers
Date: Summer, Fall
Audience: 4-H Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Health Day Events
Content or Curriculum: National 4-H Health materials
Inputs: Extension agents, staff, volunteers
Date: February 2019
Audience: 4-H Youth
Project or Activity: Pre-prom Mock Accident and Trial (Substance Abuse Prevention Program)
Content or Curriculum: Truth and Consequences curriculum; ASAP, UNITE
inputs: 4-H agent, Laurel County ASAP Board, Local emergency agencies, local high schools
Date: April, May 2019
Audience: 4-H Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H School Programs
Content or Curriculum: 4-H curriculum
Inputs: 4-H agents, 4-H assistant, volunteers, local schools
Date: September-May
Audience: General public
Project or Activity: Cook Together, Eat Together
Content or Curriculum: FCS Curriculum
Inputs: FCS agent, EFNEP, state FCS specialists
Date: Fall
Audience: SNAP eligible audiences
Project or Activity: EFNEP
Content or Curriculum: NEP curriculum
Inputs: FCS Agent, EFNEP, state NEP
Date: ongoing
Audience: General Public
Project or Activity: Holiday Cooking School
Content or Curriculum: FCS curriculum
Inputs: Extension Agents and Local Organizations
Date: November
Audience: General Public
Project or Activity: Small Steps to Health and Wealth
Content or Curriculum: SSHW
Inputs: FCS
Date: January - June
Audience: General Public
Project or Activity: Food Preservation Programs
Content or Curriculum: FCS Curriculum, Victory Garden materials
Inputs: FCS Agent
Date: Summer
Audience: General Public
Project or Activity: Farmers Feast
Content or Curriculum: Plate it Up KY
Inputs: Extension Agent, God's Pantry Food Bank, Farmers Market
Date: August
Audience: Low income family
Project or Activity: WIC FMNP
Content or Curriculum: KDA
Inputs: Extension Agents, Farmers Market, Health Department
Date July-Oct.
Audience: General Public
Project or Activity; Victory Garden
Content or Curriculum: KDA, UK
Inputs: Extension Agents, Community Garden
Date June-Oct.
Audience: Youth, General Public
Project or Activity: To Go Bags
Content or Curriculum: UK Extension Pubs
Inputs: Extension Agents, Staff
Date: Monthly
Author: Judith O'Bryan
Major Program: Active Living and Health Promotions General
According to the Center for Disease Control 30% of Kentucky adults report getting no physical activity and over ½ are overweight. With the onset of the pandemic in 2020 many families were not getting any physical activity and adding on weight by stress eating. With the importance of physical activity in maintaining a healthier life, the Laurel County Family and Consumer Sciences agent offered a 12-week newsletter based walking program designed for families who have not be
Author: Bonnie Sigmon
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Individuals who have redeemed the vouchers at the market have indicated their appreciation for the opportunity to prepare fresh fruits and vegetables for their families.
Author: Lora Davidson
Major Program: Active Living and Health Promotions General
Through the COVID-19 Pandemic, the entire state of Kentucky has gone through various degrees of being "shut down". We as Extension workers tried to find ways that we could still offer programming and valuable information to our communities, even if it were not in person. With the Grab-N-Go program, the FCS Agent in Harlan County was able to provide programs that participants could simply stop by the office and grab a bag to take with them. During the month of June 202