Healthy & Active Lifestyles: Nutrition & Food Access, Physical & Mental Health
Improve Physical and Mental Health
Nuetzman, Guffey, & Cecil
Policy, Systems, and Environmental Changes
Substance Use Prevention and Recovery General
Nutrition and Food Systems General
Active Living and Health Promotions General
According to the 2020 County Health Rankings, 23% of residents in Clinton County smoke, 35% of residents are obese, and 8% of the population under age 65 is uninsured. Unfortunately our community’s overall health ranking has declined to 93rd in the state for health factors which addresses clinical care, health behaviors, as well as social and economic factors. Additionally, an estimated 25.7% of the residents live below the poverty level and the median household income in 2018 was $31,115 (U.S.Census QuickFacts). Feeding America’s Map the Meal Gap documents that the estimated food insecurity rate for the county is 16%. With such negative trends of chronic disease, individuals and families need tools and environments to support healthy and active lifestyle choices.
The data parallels what our residents know about our needs and the status of our community. Community Assessment results indicated the following prioritized issues in the Health and Wellness category: fewer chronic diseases (diabetes, heart disease, cancer, etc.); more sources for buying safe, affordable, fresh local foods; and improved affordability of health care insurance. Extension must continue to take an active role in addressing these issues as well as others related to active living and health behaviors.
- Reduce the rate of chronic disease and obesity
- Community environment promotes healthy behaviors where people live, learn, work, and play
- Increase in the practice and promotion of physical activity and healthy eating daily
- Instances of food insecurity will decline in the community
- The prevention and/or reduction of substance abuse and its related consequences
- Generate positive attitudes toward changing lifestyle choices to be more healthy
- Decrease tobacco and/or substance use
- Employ healthful cooking methods, feeding practices, and food preservation techniques
- Practice healthy food choices and strengthen individuals’ ability to build healthy eating plans and patterns
- Increased practice of physical activity in families and communities and decreased time spent on sedentary behaviors
- Increase in production and consumption of locally grown products
- Increased participation in the farmers market by both vendors and patrons
- Eligible families participate in nutrition assistance programs (SNAP, WIC, Summer Feeding, etc.) and utilize benefits including those for the farmers market (seniors and WIC)
- 4-H members realize profits from 4-H garden by selling produce at local farmers market
- Healthy lifestyle choices
- Practice and promotion of daily physical activity
- Reduction of chronic disease
- Gardening and the importance of sustainable local agriculture to health and financial well-being
- Food resource management
- Increased motivation to be active
- Improved food and nutrition-related skills (e.g., preparation techniques, safe food handling, gardening, food resource management
Initial Outcome: Participants will enhance knowledge of one or more health, nutrition, or physical activity practices
Indicator: Number of individuals with goals, intentions, and increased knowledge of making healthy diet choices and participation in physical activity. Number of individuals who gained knowledge of resources that are available for substance abuse as a result of Extension programming.Method: Self-report surveys
Timeline: Pre-post implementing curricula or programIntermediate Outcome: Increased purchase and consumption of locally grown produce. Increased participation in and utilization of nutrition assistance benefits. Adoption of practices related to enhanced healthy eating and physical activity.
Indicator: Producer sales reports, reports from nutrition assistance programs, changes in 24 hour recalls, physical activity logs, follow-up evaluations with program participants using various evaluation instruments
Methods: Program evaluations, sales reports, secondary data from community partners
Timeline: Completion of program, market seasons, annual data
Long-term Outcome: Decreased number of obese/overweight youth and adults and reduction in chronic disease. Measurable changes/improvements in built environment. Increased policies regarding nutrition and physical activity. Decreased number of food insecure families. Decreased 30 day use of substances among youth. Social norms are less supportive of drug use and abuse.
Indicator: Number of environmental changes promoting health and physical activity, number of policies regarding physical activity and nutrition, decreased CDC obesity rate data, number of food insecure families
Methods: Qualitative and quantitative reports, state and national data review, environmental scans, etc.
- Audience: Families with young children
- Activity: Kids Korner Newsletter
- Content or Curriculum: Exclusives, FCS Agent News Releases, publications, etc.
- Inputs: Kentucky CES publications and resources
- Date: July 2020-June 2021
- Audience: General Public/youth and adults
- Activity: Color Your World with Health & Imagination/Second Sunday, Pumpkin Walk, Hoops for Health, Spring into Heath
- Content or Curriculum: UK Health Care literature, HEEL bulletins, Health Department literature, community agencies, pedometers, screenings, displays, diabetes grant, physical activity options, etc.
- Inputs: CES Staff, FRYSC, Healthy Hometown, Early Childhood Council, etc.
- Date: Quarterly community health and wellness events beginning October 2020 as guidelines allow
- Audience: General Public
- Activity: Media (weekly newspaper articles and radio spots)
- Content or Curriculum: Exclusives, FCS Agent News Releases, publications, HEEL materials, etc.
- Inputs: CES staff, UK Specialists, eXtension, CDC, and other state Extension programs
- Date: July 2019-June 2020
- Audience: Freshman Students and Families
- Activity: Truth and Consequences: The Choice is Yours
- Content or Curriculum: Truth and Consequences program materials, local statistics and print materials.
- Inputs: Clinton County Schools, various community partners, faith based community, Chamber, Interagency, etc.
- Date: TBD based upon school calendar & as guidelines allow
- Audience: General Public/SNAP Recipients
- Activity: Nutrition Education Program
- Content or Curriculum: Healthy Choices for Every Body, LEAP, Super Star Chef, Cook Wild Kentucky, NEP materials, FCS publications
- Inputs: Senior Center, Horizon Adult Day, faith based community, schools, KINnections, volunteers, etc.
- Date: July 2020-June 2021
- Audience: General Public
- Activity: Fit Blue/Big Blue Shape Up (localized Weight the Reality Series)
- Content: Fit Blue, Couch Potato Challenge, Weight the Reality Series, Get Moving Kentucky, local agencies, health & wellness literature, etc.
- Inputs: Extension Staff, Health Department, Cumberland Family Medical, Healthy Hometown, etc.
- Date: Fall 2020
- Audience: Kindergarten Students
- Activity: Healthy Living Day at Early Childhood Center
- Content: LEAP and other youth education materials
- Inputs: Extension Staff, Healthy Hometown, Cumberland Family Medical, Aetna
- Date: Spring 2021
- Audience: Extension Homemakers, Community Partners, General Public
- Activity: FCS Extension Newsletter
- Content or Curriculum: Exclusives, FCS Agent News Releases, publications, HEEL materials, etc.
- Inputs: KY Extension Specialists, eXtension, etc.
- Date: Monthly/Bimonthly July 2020-June 2021
- Audience: Youth
- Activity: Youth Nutrition, Health, & Wellness Enrichment Classes
- Content or Curriculum: Wellness in Kentucky, MyPlate, FCS & 4-H Extension Curricula, eXtension, etc.
- Inputs: Extension Staff, volunteers, schools, community partners
- Date: Throughout year
- Audience: Senior Adults/General Public
- Content or Curriculum: Matter of Balance
- Inputs: Churches, Nursing Home, Senior Life Improvement, Homemakers, etc.
- Date: July 2020-June 2021
- Audience: Youth and families
- Activity: Longest Day of Play
- Content or Curriculum: LEAP, health and wellness bulletins, Health Rocks, etc.
- Inputs: Wellness Center, FRYSC, Administrative Office of the Courts, Healthy Hometown, community partners
- Date: June 2021
- Audience: Youth and families
- Activity: Cook Together, Eat Together
- Content or Curriculum: Cook Together, Eat Together
- Inputs: Families, Extension staff, Volunteers
- Date: Throughout year
- Audience: 5th Grade Students
- Activity: Recipes for Life
- Content or Curriculum:
- Inputs: FRYSC, School, Volunteers
- Date: TBD based on school calendar & as guidelines allow
- Audience: Communities
- Project or Activity: Policy, Systems, & Environmental Approaches
- Content or Curriculum: Faithful Families, Health Coalition, Community Story Walks, Fit Trails, Trail Development, Continued work from CDC Obesity Prevention Grant
- Inputs: Volunteers, faith based community, community partners, elected officials, employee health and wellness, etc.
- Date: Ongoing
Author: Christy Stearns
Major Program: Nutrition and Food Systems General
The stress of limited food access has been overwhelming for many families during the coronavirus pandemic. Feeding America’s Map the Meal Gap data indicates that Clinton County has a 16.9 % food insecurity rate. Clinton County Extension staff have helped facilitate the monthly commodities food distribution program during the pandemic including the management of volunteers to package food items and the facilitation a drive-thru format for direct receipt of food boxes. From July-September, 5
Author: Christy Stearns
Major Program: Nutrition and Food Systems General
Research consistently reports that cooking more meals at home is related to increased fruit and vegetable consumption. Furthermore, it is well documented that eating more fruits and vegetables is a critical behavior for health promotion and disease prevention. Despite the importance of eating more produce, it is also one of the most difficult eating behaviors to change. To assist in this endeavor, the Clinton County Extension Office started a community wide Recipe Club in the spring. 45 ind
Author: James Cecil
Major Program: Leadership
Clinton County 4-h was asked to assist with the 4th Grade Bash this year. This is a reward and a tradition that happens every year when fourth graders leave the Elementary School and move to the Middle School in Clinton County. 4-H is usually not apart of this program but due to OCVID-19 there was no 4th Grade Bash last year and they wanted to provide this opportunity for our fourth and fifth graders which missed last years Bash. 4-H was honored to be able to help and enjoyed w