Grayson County CES

Title:

Promoting Healthy Lifestyles and Communities

MAP:

Making Healthy Lifestyle Choices

Agents Involved:

Taul, N.

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

National Dining with Diabetes

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Active Living and Health Promotions General

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Cook Together, Eat Together

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Nutrition and Food Systems General

Situation:

With the increased trend of chronic disease and obesity in Kentucky, individuals, families, and communities need tools and environments that support healthy and active lifestyle choices. In Grayson County 22.1% of adults reported they were in poor or fair health in 2016. Additionally, 15.3% of adults in Grayson County reported suffering from Diabetes, and 33% from obesity. CES agents are encouraged to reach diverse audiences to help combat chronic disease and obesity in Kentucky communities. Focusing on a foundation of overall direct health education to increase health literacy and ability to make healthy lifestyle choices. Including, creating spaces or opportunities for active living and health behaviors.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Reduce the rate of chronic disease and obesity

Intermediate Outcomes:

Generate positive attitudes toward changing lifestyle choices to be more healthy

Initial Outcomes:

Increase confidence in ability to employ healthy practices and improve food and nutrition related skills.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Nutrition Knowledge and Dietary Intake

Indicator: Number of individuals who reported: eating 4-6 servings of fruits and/or vegetables daily; utilize the food label to make healthy food choices; choosing smaller portions. 

Method: Self report surveys

Timeline: pre/post program implementation

Intermediate Outcome: Chronic Disease Prevention

Indicator: Number of individuals who reported: one or more health indicators improved (cholesterol, blood pressure, body mass index, blood glucose, etc.)

Method: Self report survey

Timeline: 3 months following program

Long-term Outcome: Availability/Access to healthy lifestyle choices

Indicator: Number of communities, healthy coalitions, or organizations who reported implementing policy, system, and/or environmental changes to promote healthy eating an active living. 

Method: Self report survey

Timeline: 6 months following program

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Communities

Project or Activity: Policy, Systems, and Environmental Approaches

Content or Curriculum: Faithful Families, Healthy Coalitions, Story Walk, Shared Space Arrangements, Trail Development, Active Community Toolkit, Be more Guide, resources for early care and education settings. 

Inputs: Volunteers, grant funding, faith-based organizations, community partners, key stake holders, elected officials, FCS agent, paid staff, CES resources and publications. 

Date: Ongoing projects throughout the year

Audience: Families and Individuals, General Public

Project or Activity: Chronic Disease Prevention

Content or Curriculum: Publications, Health Bulletins, Cook Together Eat Together, Mastering Food Choices, Dining with Diabetes, Fit Blue, Faithful Families, Body Balance, PIU, WIN, Kick Kentucky Cancer, Keys to Embracing Aging

Inputs: Programmatic materials, paid staff, community partners, faith-based organizations, health coalitions, healthcare providers, health department, non-profits, schools, company health and wellness, homemakers, community centers, etc. 

Date: Ongoing projects throughout the year

Audience: Facebook and Social Media Users/General Public

Project or Activity: Social media posts and/or virtual programming regarding promotion of healthy lifestyles and communities

Content or Curriculum: various research based resources

Inputs: UK Specialists, paid Extension Staff, social media outlets

Date: 2021-2024

Success Stories