Extension
It Starts With Us
Active Living and Health Promotion
Improve Physical and Mental Health
Kendyl Redding, Jason Vaughn, Emilee Hager
Active Living and Health Promotions General
Nutrition and Food Systems General
Health
Local Food Systems
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.
- 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
- 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
- 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
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
Audience: Communities
Project or Activity: Policy, Systems, and Environmental Approaches
Content or Curriculum: Faithful Families, Health Coalitions, Walking Trail/Groups, Active Community Toolkit, Be More Guide, local food promotion, Farmers' Market, resources for early care and education settings, Community Health Fair.
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, Truth and Consequences, Diabetes Management and Education, Fit Blue, Faithful Families, Body Balance, Plate It Up! Kentucky Proud Resources, Cooking Matters, Nutrition Education, Recipes for Life, Dinner Table Project, Home Gardening.
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, Home Gardening, Story Walk, Health Coalitions, Fit Blue, Health Partners, Girls on the Run, Stories, Songs, and Stretches.
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
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Physical Activity and Making Healthy Lifestyle Choices
Content or Curriculum: Fit Blue, Truth and Consequences, Health Rocks!, 4-H Youth programs, Faithful Families, Cooking Matters, Nutrition Education, Recipes for Life, Dinner Table Project, Super Star Chef, After-school cooking program, family meal time, Girls on the Run, Stories, Songs, and Stretches.
Inputs: Programmatic materials, paid staff, community partners, faith-based organizations, health coalitions, Health Department, Non-profits, Schools, Company Health & Wellness, Homemakers, Community Centers, Library, etc.
Date: Ongoing projects throughout the year
Author: Kendyl Redding
Major Program: Aging-General
Bingocize® is a 10-week, evidence-based health promotion program approved through both SNAP-Ed and The National Council on Aging (NCOA). Bingocize® combines exercise and health information with the familiar game of bingo, which is a great and fun way to get seniors moving and socializing. The goals of the program were to help older adults:Improve and/or maintain mobility and independenceLearn and use health information focused on falls reduction, improved nutrition, and other
Author: Kendyl Redding
Major Program: Food Preparation and Preservation
Research shows that people who prepare and cook meals at home are more likely to eat the recommended fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and whole grains needed in a balanced diet. Building cooking skills and knowledge increases the likelihood that people choose to prepare homecooked meals. To encourage more home-prepared meals, the Powell County Extension Office presented the Savor the Flavor series to the local community. The Savor the Flavor program focuses on various cooking methods and flavorin
Author: Jason Vaughn
Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home
A 2023 Kentucky Extension Community Assessment of Powell County indicated that residents believe fewer chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer should be a top priority. Research has shown that a diet high in fruits and vegetables can decrease the occurrence of chronic diseases. Homeowners are uniquely positioned to access fresh fruits and vegetables by growing their own. Education by Extension Agents and Specialists in home horticulture emphasizes the impor
