Extension
It Starts With Us
A Healthier Trigg County
Making Beneficial Lifetyle Choices
Cecelia Hostilo, Graham Cofield,
Horticulture, Consumer and Home
Active Living and Health Promotions General
Leadership
The obesity epidemic threatens the quality and years of life of Kentuckians and Trigg Countians. Obese individuals are at increased risk for many chronic health conditions, including type-2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some types of cancers. Trigg County’s Healthcare Profile for winter 2014 indicates that 33.8% of adults are obese and 35.3% are physically inactive. 11.8% of adults in the county have diabetes. 28.7% (23.2-33.45) of Trigg Countians report having been diagnosed with high blood pressure. We know that if the behaviors that bring about these chronic diseases are present in adults they are likely to be passed on to the children, thus perpetuating the cycle. The goal of the Making Beneficial Lifestyle Choices is to reverse these trends by working with various organizations, agencies, and groups to promote the health and wellness.
*Decrease the number of obese and overweight adults and children in Trigg County.
*Management and reduction of risk of chronic diseases.
*Increase the promotion and practice of healthy eating.
*Increase the promotion and practice of physical activity
*Improved health and well-being.
*Practice healthy food choices and strengthen individual ability to build healthy eating plans and patterns.
*Maintain appropriate balance between caloric intake and physical activity at every stage of life.
*Practice of physical activity in our community and decrease sedentary behaviors.
*Strengthen community coalitions and partnerships to address community health needs.
Changes in awareness, knowledge, opinions, skills, and attitudes needed to make informed choices regarding:
*Healthy lifestyle choices
*Weight management at all ages
*Practicing daily physical activity and healthy eating
*Reduction of chronic disease
Outcome: Changes in awareness, knowledge, opinions, skills, and attitudes needed to make informed healthy lifestyle choices.
Indicator: Of the total number of clients reached with information on the importance of choosing a physically active life style and healthy food habits, the number that report an understanding of the benefits of both.
Method: Pre/Post survey, client feedback, teacher observation
Timeline: July-June
Outcome: Practice of physical activity in families and communities and building healthy eating plans and habits.
Indicator: Of the total number of clients reached with information about the importance and physical activity and healthy eating, the number that report increasing both.
Method: Pre/Post survey
Timeline: July-June (on-going)
Outcome: Increase the promotion and practice of physical activity and healthy eating daily.
Indicator: Of the total number of adults and youth reached with information on the importance of being physically active and choosing healthy foods, the number of clients that report understanding the benefits of both.
Method: Pre/Post survey
Timeline: July-June (on-going)
Audience: Trigg County Seniors
Project or Activity: Senior Nutrition Lessons
Content or Curriculum: Extension and SNAP-Ed publications
Inputs: Agents, volunteers
Date: July-June (on-going)
Audience: Trigg County Seniors
Project or Activity: Nutrition Fair
Content or Curriculum: Extension and SNAP-Ed publications
Inputs: Agents, volunteers, community agencies
Date: annual spring event
Audience: Trigg County 4th graders
Project or Activity: Farm Safety Day
Content or Curriculum: Farm Safety Manual
Inputs: CES Agents, volunteers, community agencies
Date: annual fall event
Audience: Trigg County Youth and Adults
Project or Activity: Community Gardening
Content or Curriculum: Extension and SNAP-Ed publications
Inputs: Agents, volunteers, community agencies
Date: Spring-summer, 2022 (annually)
Audience: Trigg County Adults
Project or Activity: Dining With Diabetes
Content or Curriculum: UK Extension Curriculum
Inputs: FCS agent, Pennyrile District Health Department CDE, Senior Services Center
Date: series taught annually
Audience: Trigg County Preschool Parents
Project or Activity: Healthy Choices Newsletter
Content or Curriculum: Kentucky Extension Newsletter
Inputs: FCS Agent
Date: on-going
Author: Shelley Crawford
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
