LaRue County CES

Title:

Improve Physical and Mental Health

MAP:

Nutrition & Health

Agents Involved:

M. Wilmoth and M. Stillwell

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Active Living and Health Promotions General

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Health

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Substance Use and Mental Health - CED

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. 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:

• Routinely meeting physical activity and dietary recommendations that promote health and wellness (e.g. 150 minutes a week of moderate activity and consuming recommended daily fruits and vegetables)
• Community environment promotes healthy behaviors where people live, learn, work, and play
• Reduce the rate of chronic disease and obesity

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/ substance use

Initial Outcomes:

• Increase awareness about lifestyle choices and chronic disease (e.g. tobacco use, poor nutrition, & lack of physical activity) 
• Increase confidence in ability to employ healthy practices 
• Improve food and nutrition-related skills (e.g. preparation techniques, safe food handling)
• Increase motivation to be active
• Increase awareness of accessible safe places for activity 

Evaluation:

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 implementing curricula or program

Outcome: Physical Activity knowledge, skills, and competencies 

Indicator:  Number of individuals who reported: knowledge and skills gained about the benefits of physical activity; adoption of physical activity practices; increase in physical activity levels

Method: Self-report survey

Timeline:  Pre-post implementing curricula or program

Outcome:  Substance Use

Indicator:  Number of individuals who reported: gained knowledge of the resources that are available for substance use in the community as a result of Extension programming

Method: Self-report survey

Timeline: Pre-post implementing curricula or program

Outcome: Chronic Disease Prevention

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

Method: Self-report survey

Timeline:  Pre-post implementing curricula or program

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

Timeline:  Pre-post implementing curricula or program

Learning Opportunities:

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Communities

Project or Activity:  Policy, Systems, and Environmental Approaches

Content or Curriculum: Faithful Families, Health Coalitions, Story Walk, Shared Space Agreements, Trail Development, Active Community Toolkit, Be More Guide, resources for early care and education settings

Inputs: Volunteers, grant funds, faith-based organizations, community partners, key stakeholders, elected officials, Department of Transportation, Health Coalitions, Employee Health and Wellness, SNAP-Ed Toolkit 

Date: Ongoing projects throughout the year

Audience: Families and Individuals

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, Plate It Up! Kentucky Proud Resources, WIN, Kick Kentucky Cancer, Health Partners, Bingocize, Master Health Volunteer, 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 & Wellness, Homemakers, Community Centers, etc. 

Date: Ongoing projects throughout the year

Project or Activity:  Physical Activity

Content or Curriculum: Publications, Faithful Families, Story Walk, Master Health Volunteer, Shared Space Agreements, Health Coalitions, Be More, Fit Blue, WIN, Health Partners, Bingocize, Keys to Embracing Aging

Inputs: Paid staff, volunteers, facilities, health coalitions, Healthcare Providers, Health Department, Non-profits, Schools, Company Health & Wellness, FBOs, Homemakers, Community Centers

Date: Periodically each year

Audience: Kentucky Extension Homemakers Association/Volunteers

Project or Activity:  Promoting Healthy Lifestyle Choices 

Content or Curriculum: Master Health Volunteers, Health Bulletins, Monthly Leader Lessons

Inputs: Volunteers, paid staff, community partners

Date: Monthly