Extension
It Starts With Us
Making Healthy Lifestyle Choices
Making Healthy Lifestyle Choices
Rebecca Hayes and FCS, Rebecca Konopka
Substance Use Prevention and Recovery General
Family and Consumer Science
Health
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 in Kentucky increased 90 percent over the last 15 years. 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 2019 KY By the Numbers reports that 42% of adults in Carter County were obese. Between 2009 and 2013 there were 39 reported overdose deaths. 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. Healthy living is also one of the three 4-H mission mandates. Components of Kentucky 4-H Health Core Curriculum include: physical activity, substance abuse, bullying, safety, and character education. Both the FCS and 4-H advisory councils have identified this a one of the greatest needs in Carter County.
Increased number of youth maintaining positive health habits;
Increased number of youth at lower risk for serious disease and illness
Increased number of youth at a lower risk for physical and emotional distress
Youth will develop into competent, capable, contributing adults as important developmental assets are met through their participation in 4-H Health programs.
Increased number of adults maintaining healthy habits, including nutrition and exercise.
Decrease in the number of adults who are obese.
Increased adoption and mastery of healthy behaviors that lead to a healthy lifestyle that include making healthy lifestyle choices, not engaging in risky behavior and handling stress.
Practice healthy food choices and strengthen individuals’ ability to build healthy eating plans and patterns.
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.
Youth will identify healthy lifestyle choices
Youth will understand risky behaviors and their consequences
Youth will aspire to have higher self esteem
Youth will identify healthy ways to handle stress
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: Students develop a better understanding of the consequences of substance abuse
Indicator: Number of students who indicate a greater understanding.
Method: Post Test for Truth and Consequences
Timeline: Day of the program
Intermediate Outcome: Students are no longer engaging is substance abuse or chose not to engage.
Indicator: Number of students who report they are not engaging in substance abuse.
Method: Follow-up survey
Timeline: 6 months
Long-term Outcome: Students/Young adult substance abuse use decreases
Indicator: Number of students who report they have not engaged in substance abuse three years after the program.
Method: KIP Survey
Timeline: 3 years after the program.
Audience: 4-H Members
Project or Activity: Healthy Snacks
Content or Curriculum: Professor Popcorn, Teen Cuisine, SNAP-Ed
Inputs: Volunteers, Staff
Date: During the school year
Audience: 9th grade students
Project or Activity: Truth and Consequences
Content or Curriculum: UK publications/curriculum
Inputs: FCS Agent, Youth service centers, community partners, community agencies, elected officials, Extension volunteers, Drug Free Coalition, parents
Date: Spring
Audience: Families, Preschoolers, Youth, Individuals, Seniors, Extension Homemakers
Project or Activity: Physical Activity Promotion
Inputs: Extension Staff, KEHA leaders, Health Bulletins, Chapel and Friendship House
Content or Curriculum: UK publications, WIN, Keys to Aging, LEAP
Date: January - December
Audience: Extension Homemakers
Project or Activity: Monthly Lessons
Content or Curriculum: Keys to Aging
Inputs: Chapel and Friendship House, Extension Staff, Homemaker Leaders
Date: Monthly
Author: Rebecca Hayes
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
21 youth participated in the 3-day Super Star Chef camp. They learned basic knife skills, how to measure wet and dry ingredients, kitchen safety, my plate, and got to cook their own lunches. There was a handful of youth that were very adamant about not liking the vegetables that we made, before even trying them. I am happy to say that every youth at least tried each vegetable in the different forms that they made and some were even shocked by enjoying them!
