Active Living and Health Promotions, AgingPlan of Work

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Bullitt County CES

Title:
Active Living and Health Promotions, Aging
MAP:
Nutrition, Health & Wellbeing
Agents Involved:
Samantha Gamblin, Tori Carter, Lorilee Kunze, Ruth Chowning, Nathan Rider
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Active Living and Health Promotions General
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Substance Use and Mental Health – 4-H Youth Development
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Food Preparation and Preservation
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Cook Wild Kentucky
Situation:

According to recent studies from the Institute of Medicine, the life expectancy of Americans is increasing. While we may be adding years to life, there is concern about life quality. This is because a person’s life expectancy does not always match a person’s “health span”—time spent in good health. The life expectancy of Bullitt County residents is higher for both men and women than the state age. As the current Bullitt County senior population (65+) is 14%, there is concern for this fast-growing segment as older adults influence everything from consumer behavior to health-care costs (U.S. Census) (2019 Census Data) (Kentucky State Data Center).

With the Kentucky Health facts Organization showing an increase of obesity to 32% in Bullitt County, the individuals, families, and local communities need tools and environments that support healthy and active lifestyle choices. Focusing on a foundation of overall direct health education to increase health literacy and ability to make healthy lifestyle and dietary choices. With the lack of physical activity at a higher rate in the County than in the state, initiatives that include creating spaces or opportunities for active living and health behaviors are crucial.

A foundation of nutrition knowledge, skills and competencies in topics such as food safety, handling and preparation, cooking methods and techniques, feeding practices, food science, and food systems are essential to changing dietary behaviors. According to the Kids Count Data Center, 15 % of Bullitt County children live at 100 % below the federal poverty level. This supports the fact that Bullitt County mirrors the data that 20% of all Kentucky youth (ages 10 to 17 years old) are obese- the eighth highest in the nation (CDC). Since there is a positive correlation between poverty and obesity, some main diet quality indicators reflect a low intake of fruit and vegetables among both adults and adolescents. 

Heavily influenced by life-long lifestyle behaviors and choices, including quality of diet, physical activity, alcohol and tobacco use, the Bullitt County rate is above both state and national levels in mental and substance use; alcohol intake, smoking and obesity. The Bullitt County Extension Service can help individuals and families establish healthy lifestyle behaviors and relationships throughout the lifespan as way to positively influence optimal aging and help reduce issues such as chronic disease, obesity, opioid and alcohol abuse, and mental illness.

 




Long-Term Outcomes:

Routinely meeting physical activity and dietary recommendations that promote health and wellness (e.g. consume recommended daily fruits and vegetables and improve food management skills)

Community environment promotes healthy behaviors where people live, learn, work, and play

Reduce the rate of obesity and chronic disease such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.

Identify, develop, and evaluate programs and policies that promote healthy aging in Bullitt County

Improve health span through lifestyle choices and behaviors related to overall health and well-being  

Youth and adults will eat more Fruits and vegetables

Youth will help prepare food at home

Participants will lead chapters and demonstrate about methods of smoking meat

Participates will lead classes and teach about cooking wild game

Youth will practice good decision-making skills and avoid high-risk situations that lead to alcohol and drug use




Intermediate Outcomes:

Generate positive attitudes toward changing lifestyle choices to be more healthy

Increase intake of fruits, vegetables, and other nutrient-dense foods

Improve self-efficacy in physical activity, movement, and active routes to destinations 

Decrease tobacco, alcohol and substance abuse

Bullitt County residence of all ages adapt healthy lifestyle choices, including diet, physical activity.

More Bullitt County households prepare for caregiving as they age

Bullitt County individuals and families will seek routine health[LN4] screenings and vaccines

As residents of Bullitt County age, they will take steps in their environment to prevent falls

Bullitt County residents will address mental health

Students will eat more fruits and vegetables

Students will try new foods

Students will help prepare food at home

Participants will report an increase in smoking meats for family consumption

Participants will report an increase in cooking wild game 

Youth will increase physical activity in families and communities and will decrease time spent on sedentary behaviors

Youth will avoid drug & alcohol use




Initial Outcomes:

Participants will increase awareness about lifestyle choices and chronic disease (e.g. tobacco use, poor nutrition, & lack of physical activity) 

Participants will have increased confidence in ability to employ healthy practices 

Participants will improve food and nutrition-related skills (e.g. preparation techniques, safe food handling)

Participants will have increased motivation to be active

Participants will come to understand the importance of lifestyle choices and behaviors throughout their lifespan on their overall health, well-being and life quality

Participants will learn how to make healthy lifestyle choices

Participants will learn that caregiver preparation in important

Participants will learn that disease prevention and early detection is important

Participants will learn about resources to enhance life quality, safety and to support aging families

Students will recognize the recommended handwashing steps & identify best practices for kitchen cleanup & using separate cutting boards


Students will practice food safety and cooking safety techniques

Students will learn steps in preparing a recipe correctly, how to formulate time-management strategies and correct techniques for measuring ingredients

Participants will report increased confidence and knowledge of how to smoke meat.

Participants will report increased knowledge and confidence on how to prepare and cook wild game found in KY.


Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Availability / Access to healthy lifestyle choices 

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

Method:  Self-report survey & # of Story Path opportunities

Timeline:  Pre-post implementing curricula or program


Outcome:  Adapt healthy lifestyles related to aging and longevity 

Indicator: Total number of individuals/families reached with information to improve healthy lifestyle choices specifically related to aging/longevity

Method: AARP Prepare to Care, 5 Wishes, Estate Planning, Longevity lesson evaluations

Timeline: : July 2022- June 2023


Outcome: Nutrition knowledge, skills, and competencies

Indicator: Number of individuals who reported: use knowledge and skills to improve food-shopping management; utilize the food label to make healthy food choices; choosing smaller portions; increased food preservation knowledge; demonstrated recommended food preservation practices

Method: Self-report surveys; specific curricula or program evaluations- Recipe for life, EFNEP nutrition series, Homemaker leader lesson

Timeline: Pre-post implementing curricula or program, July 2022 - June 2023


Outcome:  Preparing and preserving food 

Indicator:  Number of individuals who reported: preparing more home-cooked meals; modifying ingredients and/or preparation techniques to improve nutrition; Number of individuals who reported utilizing farmers’ markets, food pantries that offer healthy foods; supplementing diets with healthy foods grown or preserved (e.g., community or backyard gardens, fishing, hunting, farmers markets); number of pints of foods preserved through water bath canning, pressure canning, freezing, or drying.

Method: Self-report survey; specific curricula or program evaluations

Timeline: Pre-post program, July 2022, September 2022, January 2023 


Outcome:  Dietary intake 

Indicator: Number of individuals who reported: eating 4-6 servings of fruits and/or vegetables daily

Method: Self-report surveys about fruit and vegetable intake or other dietary improvements; specific curricula or program evaluations

Timeline: Pre-post implementing curricula or program, July 2022 - June 2023


Outcome: Youth will practice and promote daily physical activity   

Indicator: Changes in habits, lifestyles 

Method: Written evaluation, youth and parent testimonials

Timeline: On-going


Outcome: Youth will practice good decision-making skills and avoid high-risk situations that lead to alcohol and drug use

Indicator:  Reported changes in decision-making, knowledge of drug/alcohol use consequences 

Method: Written evaluation, youth and parent testimonials

Timeline: On-going

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Community- All ages 

Project or Activity:  Physical Activity

Content or Curriculum: Story Walk

Inputs: Extension Agents, volunteers, FCS Council, KEHA membership, Library, health coalitions, Healthcare Providers, Health Department, Schools, SNAP-Ed Toolkit

Date: July 2022 - June 2023


Audience: Community- All ages

Project or Activity:  Physical Activity

Content or Curriculum: Publications, Bingocise, Keys to Embracing Aging

Inputs: FCS Agent, volunteers, FCS Council, KEHA membership, faith-based organizations, Library, health coalitions, Healthcare Providers, Health Department, Non-profits, Schools, Company Health & Wellness, elected officials, SNAP-Ed Toolkit

Date: July 2022- June 2023


Audience: Community- All ages

Project or Activity:  Chronic Disease Prevention

Content or Curriculum: Cancer Awareness, Plate It Up! Kentucky Proud Resources

Inputs: Programmatic materials, FCS Agent, community partners, faith-based organizations, Non-profits, Schools, Homemakers, Community Centers, KY Cancer program

Date: July 2022 - June 2023


Audience: Communities

 Project or Activity:  Farmers Market Outreach

Content or Curriculum: Cooking programs, marketing, Plate It Up! Kentucky Proud resources, Farmers Market Toolkit

Inputs: Nutrition Education Program (NEP), FCS Agent, EFNEP Asst., facilities, Kentucky Department of Agriculture

Date: July 2022 – October2022 /Growing seasons 2023


Audience: Families and Individuals

 Project or Activity:  Food Preparation for Better Health

Content or Curriculum: Field to Fork, Home Meat preparation, Cook Together Eat Together, Super Star Chef,

Inputs:  UK and Iowa programming resources, ANR Agent, FCS Agent, community partners

Date: Ongoing projects throughout the year, July 2022 - June 2023


Audience: Families and Individuals

Project or Activity:  Food Preservation

Content or Curriculum: Publications, Trainings, Home-Based Micro-Processing Training, Food Preservation

Inputs: FCS Agent, Ag Agent, Hort Agent, volunteers, facilities, programmatic materials, NEP

Date: July 2022 - June 2023 


Audience: Kentucky Extension Homemakers Association/Volunteers

Project or Activity:  Promoting Nutrition with Volunteers

Content or Curriculum: UK publications for Monthly Leader Lessons

Inputs: Volunteers, Louisville Area FCS Agents, community partners

Date:  September 2022- May 2023


Audience: Community Members, Volunteers, Clientele 

Project or Activity: Youth Mental Health First Aid

Content or Curriculum: Mental Health First Aid Curriculum 

Inputs: Extension Staff, National Council for Behavioral Health, Kentucky 4-H  

Date: Fall 2022, Spring, Summer 2023


Audience: Youth – Middle School

Project or Activity: Truth & Consequences: The Choice is Yours 

Content or Curriculum: 4-H FCS Truth & Consequences Curriculum  

Inputs: Extension Staff, volunteers, community leaders, Family Resource Youth Service Centers, Local Government   

Date: Spring 2023 


Audience: Youth – Campers

Project or Activity: 4-H Residential Camp, 4-H Day Camps

Content or Curriculum: Kentucky4-H Health Curriculum, 4-H Camp

Inputs: Extension Staff, volunteers, camp staff

Date: Summer 2022, 2023






Success Stories

Healthy Chef Day Camp

Author: Victoria Riehemann

Major Program: Family and Consumer Science

The Bullitt County rate for obesity is above both the state and national levels. These rates are influenced by life-long lifestyle behaviors and choices such as quality of diet and amount of physical activity. According to the Community Assessment Report (2019), members of the Bullitt County community rated different aspects that they wanted to see an increase in. Based on this data, community members wanted to see better use of food safety practices and better skills for selecting and preparing

Full Story

Mindfullness Program

Author: Samantha Gamblin

Major Program: Substance Use and Mental Health – 4-H Youth Development

Middle school and high school can be some of the most stressful times of life. Between the pressures of school, social life, and other activities, teens have a huge amount on their minds, at all times. Mental health challenges in children, adolescents, and young adults are real and widespread. Even before the pandemic, an alarming number of young people struggled with feelings of helplessness, depression, and thoughts of suicide and rates have increased over the past decade. Before the COVID-19

Full Story

Passport Kitchen Program

Author: Victoria Riehemann

Major Program: Family and Consumer Science

Passport Kitchen Program

The Kentucky 4-H Passport Kitchen program provided 426 young people from Kentucky the opportunity to experience the food cultures of different countries in a self-paced experience. As part of the 4-H Passport Kitchen program, young people received six country kits in the mail during a six-week window. These kits provided all the needed instructions to complete a recipe, a video explaining the recipe, one ingredient for the recipe, information about the country, and a worksheet to help them explo

Full Story

Winterdash Helps Hold Bullitt County Members Accountable for Their Exercise

Author: Victoria Riehemann

Major Program: Health

The 2021 Kids Count data ranks Kentucky as 38th nationally in youth health, and 14% of children live in a high-poverty area, which is an adverse community environmental factor that impacts a child's ability to thrive (KYA, 2022). These high-poverty communities often struggle with equitable access to indoor and outdoor spaces. This inequity is heightened in winter due to a reduction of daylight hours and a decrease in outdoor temperatures. This creates a barrier for youth in these communities

Full Story

Bullitt County Plays Bingocize® for Exercise, nutrition and fall prevention

Author: Ruth Chowning

Major Program: Substance Use Prevention and Recovery General

Obesity and being overweight is a major issue the people in Bullitt County struggle with daily. Lack of exercise and sedentary lifestyles are the leading cause for this growing problem. Bingocize® was created by Dr. Jason Crandall, Co-Director/Co-Founder at the WKU Center for Applied Science in Health & Aging. He created the socially engaging group-based game that combines health education and exercise in the format of BINGO. Dr. Crandall and his research team have tested the program and

Full Story

Crossroads Elementary Healthy Eating Day Camp

Author: Samantha Gamblin

Major Program: Family and Consumer Science

According to the Community Assessment Data for Bullitt County (2019), many members of the community want to see an increase in selecting and preparing healthier food options. On a scale of 1-4, with 1 being least important and 4 being very important, this issue was given a 3.48. To aid with this issue, the Bullitt County 4-H agents partnered with Crossroads Elementary School to lead a group of youth aged 7-12 in an interactive day camp that was focused on healthier eating habits.During this day

Full Story

Innovative Smoking Meat Class Series Draws a New Crowd to Extension

Author: Nathan Rider

Major Program: Nutrition and Food Systems General

Innovative Smoking Meat Class Series Draws a New Crowd to Extension

Smoking meat is a popular topic among chefs, TV cooking shows, and social media. To help Bullitt County residents incorporate new flavors and a new cooking technique into their repertoires, the Family and Consumer Sciences and Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Agents from the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service in Bullitt County teamed up to provide educational information to some new and some seasoned pitmasters.Outside of the usual cooking classes provided by the Coo

Full Story
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