Extension
It Starts With Us
Promoting Physical Activity
Healthy Homes, Families, and Communities
Allen, Flynt, Johnson, Redmon, Conner
Health
Building Healthy Coalitions
Active Living and Health Promotions General
The obesity epidemic threatens the quality and years of life of Kentuckians. Obese individuals are at increased risk for many chronic health conditions, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some types of cancers. The obesity rate is currently 34.3%. Thirty percent of individuals in the Commonwealth report no leisure-time physical activity. Increased consumption of unhealthy food, stress, and built environments that promote physical inactivity are largely responsible for the obesity epidemic. As a result, Kentuckians 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. Minorities and individuals residing in Appalachia bear a heavier brunt of the obesity and chronic disease burden. The goal of the Making Healthy Lifestyle Choices Initiative is to reverse these trends by working with various organizations, agencies, and groups to promote the health and wellness in all Kentuckians.
A decrease in the number of obese and overweight children, youth, adults and elderly
Increase in the practice and promotion of physical activity and healthy eating daily
Improvement in the built environment to promote physical activity and healthy eating
Improvement in the mental health and wellbeing of Kentuckians
Manage and prevent the risk, debilitation, and premature death related to diabetes, cancer, heart disease, stroke and hypertension
Increase the estimated health savings in dollars for chronic disease.
Increase policies that address obesity, physical inactivity and promotion of poor nutrition
Maintain appropriate calorie balance during each stage of life: childhood, adolescence, adulthood, pregnancy and breastfeeding and older age
Practice of physical activity in families and communities and decreased time spent on sedentary behaviors
Community members advocate for policy
Changes related to obesity, physical activity and healthy eating.
Strengthen community coalitions or partnerships to address obesity, physical inactivity and chronic disease.
Practice healthy lifestyle decision-making that strengthen individuals’ ability to cope with normal life stressors.
Change in awareness, knowledge, opinions, skills, and attitudes needed to make informed choices regarding:
Healthy lifestyle choices
Childhood and youth obesity
Adult weight management
Healthy aging
Practice and promotion of daily physical activity
Policies that that reduce the level of obesity
Reduction of chronic disease
Initial Outcome: Individuals will become more aware of skills needed to make informed choices regarding health.
Indicator: Distribution of knowledge
Method: newsletters, social media posts, workshops, training
Timeline: year round
Intermediate Outcome: Clients will become more physically active,
Indicator: participation in physical activity,grow their own fruit and vegetables
Method: second Sunday event, get moving curriculum, community gardening,
Timeline: year round
Long-term Outcome: Clients will have improved their overall health.
Indicator: reduced instances of obesity, reduced chronic disease occurrences, more physical activity participation
Method: get moving curriculum, newsletters, social media posts, publications, trainings and workshops, Second Sunday event
Timeline: Year round
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H after school Cooking
Content or Curriculum: myplate
Inputs: materials, staff, curriculum, partners
Date: year round
Audience: General public and youth
Project or Activity: health fairs and screening events
Content or Curriculum: myplate, embracing aging
Inputs: Alzheimer's association, National Kidney Foundation, local health department, publications, materials, supplies
Date: Year round
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Hiking and Adventure program
Content or Curriculum: Natural Resources Curriculum
Inputs: Curriculum, State Parks, County Agents, Department of Forestry,
Date: Monthly
Audience: Adults
Project or Activity: Gardening
Content or Curriculum: Basic Gardening, Master Gardener Curriculum, Community Gardens
Inputs: Staff, Curriculum, Materials
Date: Spring, Summer, Fall
Audience: Farmers
Project or Activity: Farm Dinner Theater
Content or Curriculum: Mental Health Curriculum
Inputs: Staff, Curriculum, Materials
Date: Winter
Audience: 4-H Youth
Project or Activity: Physical Activity Club
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Curriculum
Inputs: Staff, Curriculum, Materials
Date: Monthly
Author: Sarah Redmon
Major Program: Health
As students start heading back into the classroom since the start of the pandemic, teacher and Family Resource Coordinators are looking for ways to help youth cope with the anxiety and stress Covid-19 has caused. Yoga for Kids is a great way to help youth learn how to cope with feelings, anxiety, and stress. The Scott County 4-H Youth Development Agent planned and implemented four, one hour lessons. In total 51 students in 4th grade participated in a month long 4-H enrichment during their
