4-H Health
Promote Healthy Lifestyles
Steve Conrad, Christy Eastwood
Family and Consumer Science
Substance Use Prevention and Recovery General
Healthy living is one of three 4-H mission mandates and encompasses: physical activity, personal safety, mental health, addiction prevention, and diversity and inclusion. In Kentucky 37% of youth 10-17 are overweight or obese, and 51% report not exercising regularly. 25% of youth report some form of emotional or behavioral condition and suicide rates are at record high (KY suicides per 100,000 people: 15.3, 10th highest in nation). Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health disease can affect anyone, with 1,160 reported opioid-involved deaths (a rate of 27.9 deaths per 100,000 persons) in Kentucky and Vaping nearly doubled among middle and high school students — with 27% of high school seniors reporting they had tried the product in 2018.
- Reduced fatalities
- Increased number of youth maintaining positive health habits;
- Increased number of youth at a lower risk for serious disease and illness;
- Increased number of youth at a lower risk for physical and emotional distress
- Reduce the number of youth reporting drug, alcohol, and tobacco use
- Increased adoption and mastery of healthy behaviors that lead to a healthy lifestyle
- Improved access and utilization of resources
- Improved perceived stress and ability to cope
- Youth will contribute to their communities
- Youth will practice refusal skills
- Youth will intervene to prevent use/abuse
- Improved in awareness of health concerns for youth
- Improved education about diversity and Inclusion
- Improved understanding of the consequences of risk behaviors
- Promote optimal physical, social and emotional health habits
Oral or Common Measures Universal Survey at conclusion of learning activity
- Number of youth who indicated they learned about healthy food choices through 4-H
- Number of youth who were educated on health and well-being through 4-H programs? (KOSA)
- Number of youth who indicated they made healthy lifestyle choices as are result of what they learned through 4-H programming? (PRACTICE)
- Number of youth who indicated they increased their daily number of servings of fruits and vegetables eaten as a result of 4-H programs? (PRACTICE) Number of youth who indicated “yes or usually” to the Common Measures Experience Survey Question #6 “Is 4-H A place where you get to figure out things for yourself?” (SEEC)
- Number of youth who indicated “yes or usually” to the Common Measures Experience Survey Question #13 “Is 4-H a place where you have a chance to be a leader?” (SEEC)
- Eating Healthy
- 4-H Foods/SNAP material, myPlate (Oct 21-May 22, 6 visits)
- Nutrition Education with Preschool Students (March 2022, 6 visits)
- Nutrition Education with Kindergarten Students (Jan. 2022, 6 visits)
- Nutrition Education with children with special needs (Sept. 21-May 22, monthly)
- Addiction Prevention
- Curriculum: Health Rocks!, Truth & Consequences
- Truth or Consequences Event (March/April 2022)
Author: Christy Eastwood
Major Program: Health
Consuming fruits and vegetables regularly is an important part of a healthy diet. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans (2015) recommends that people consume at least 2.5 cups of vegetables and 2 cups of fruits daily, based on a general 2000 kcal diet. However, despite the scientific support for consumers to consume more fruits and vegetables, the average American adult eats well below recommended intakes, and consumption is even lower among low-income populations. Many factors contribute to low
Author: Gina Ligon
Major Program: Agriculture
Kelly Elementary - Fresh Produce Basket Boone County 4-H Agent Christy Eastwood and Gina Ligon, partnered with the Boone County Horticulture Agent, David Koester along with Shelley Hoxmeier from Kelly Elementary on the Fresh Produce Basket program. Low-income families from Kelly Elementary received fresh fruits, vegetables, three Snap-Ed recipes weekly, summer activity sheets for the children, Chop Chop magazines and my plate information for 6 weeks during the summer. Most of t
Author: Stephen Conrad
Major Program: Health
Data from the last decade (The Recovery Village) shows rates of middle school substance abuse and addiction in kids as young as 11 or 12 years old have swelled across the United States. In 2015, more than 8% of 8th graders have reported using illicit drugs. To assist in the fight to turn the tide in this area, the Boone County Cooperative Extension Service (program materials, volunteer lunch, and manpower) partnered with Boone County Schools (morning snacks, guest speakers, community volun