Extension
It Starts With Us
Healthy Lifestyles
Jobs, Infrastructure, and Community Vitality
4-H Agent, FCS Agent
Family Development General
Plate It Up! Kentucky Proud
Active Living and Health Promotions General
Family Development General
Union County ranks in the fourth quintile for deaths related to lung and colorectal cancer, chronic respiratory diseases, and suicide. Furthermore, approximately sixty-seven percent of adults are overweight or obese, twenty-five percent of youth are considered overweight, twenty-three percent of the population is physically inactive and Kentucky is ranked the sixth most sedentary state in the nation. As expressed by a CEC member, there is a need to dispel the myths surrounding fad diets as they relate to proper nutrition.
Children who are considered obese are 70 percent more likely to continue being obese into adulthood. Children who are obese at a young age are predisposed to obesity and morbid obesity in adulthood. Environmental factors, such as a lack of physical activity and technological advances have led to a more sedentary lifestyle. Today, obese children are much more likely to develop type 2 diabetes more than ever. The most occurring sign of discrimination among obese children is social and societal acceptance. This negative discrimination can lead to poor self-esteem and depression. With more than 40 percent of children watching 2 or more hours of television each day, the obesity trend is alarming.
The obesity epidemic threatens the quality and years of life of Kentuckians. Obese individuals are at increased risk for many chronic health conditions, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some types of cancers. The obesity rate in Kentucky increased 90 percent over the last 15 years. Thirty percent of individuals in the Commonwealth report no leisure-time physical activity. Increased consumption of unhealthy food, stress, and built environments that promote physical inactivity are largely responsible for the obesity epidemic. As a result, Kentuckians are dying from heart disease and cancer at higher rates than all Americans and they have a lower life expectancy, 75.5 years, compared to 78 years for Americans. The goal is to reverse these trends by working with various organizations, agencies, and groups to promote the health and wellness in all Kentuckians.
Union County residents will consistently make healthful lifestyle choices that will reduce their risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and additional weight-related diseases and resist engaging in fad diets. Manage and prevent the risk, debilitation, and premature death related to diabetes, cancer, heart disease, stroke and hypertension.
County residents will improve their health and physical stamina while learning to stretch their food dollar, improve the quality of family meals, and have a renewed awareness of food safety issues. As indicated by HEEL data, youth will grow up to be healthier adults as a result of developing healthy lifestyles during childhood relating to diet, physical activity and tobacco, alcohol and other drug use
Participants will increase the amount of physical activity in their daily habits; reduce the amount of fat, sodium, and sugar content in their diet; increase the fiber content of their diet; and incorporate safe food handling techniques in daily food preparation.
Youth will choose to eat more fruits & veggies instead of less healthy fats & sweets; choose a more active lifestyle that includes more physical activity; and abstain from risky behavior including tobacco use, drugs and alcohol.
Clientele will teach and model positive diet behaviors that promote lifelong health for youth; apply their knowledge in order to follow dietary guidelines when choosing foods; and begin engaging in physical activity.
Clientele will maintain appropriate calorie balance during each stage of life: childhood, adolescence, adulthood, pregnancy and breastfeeding and older age.
Clientele will learn recommended dietary guidelines for food group servings and serving sizes; how to prepare nutritious meals; techniques to reduce the fat, sodium and sugar content in recipes; techniques for healthful ordering when eating “out”; and safe food selection, handling, preparation and serving techniques.
Union County residents will learn and aspire to increase their daily physical activity.
Initial Outcome: 50% will indicate healthful lifestyle changes
Indicator: Increase in number of fruit and vegetable choices
Method: : observation, interviews, questionnaires
Timeline: 2023 & 2024
Intermediate Outcome: : Participants will increase amount of daily physical activity
Indicator: 50% increase in number of minutes of physical activity
Method: observation, interviews, questionnaires
Timeline: 2023 - 2024
Audience: Adult Women
Project or Activity: Heart Health Lunch and Learn
Content or Curriculum: UK Publications
Inputs: Union County Health Coalition, Deaconess Hospital of Union County
Date: February 2024
Audience: Preschool children and families
Project or Activity: "The Mouse is in the House" math/literacy day
Content or Curriculum: LEAP
Inputs: Early Childhood Council
Date: March 2024
Audience: Preschool Children
Project or Activity: LEAP
Content or Curriculum: LEAP Curriculum
Inputs: Union County Head Start
Date: Fall, Winter, Spring 2023 - 2024
Audience: World's Greatest Baby Shower
Project: Shower for Expectant Parents
Content or Curriculum: Parenting Curriculum
Inputs: Union & Henderson County Methodist Hospitals, UC Schools
Date: 2023 & 2024
Audience: Youth and Young Adults
Project or Activity: Health Fairs
Content of Curriculum: Agent Developed
Inputs: UC Schools
Date: Fall 2023 - 2024
Audience: General Public
Project: newspaper articles
Content of Curriculum: UK Publications
Inputs:
Date: Weekly newspapers
Audience: Adults
Project: Plate It Up
Content or Curriculum: Plate It Up
Inputs: Green River Area Homemakers, Ag Expo
Date: August, October, January, March 2023 - 2024
Author: Annette Buckman
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
Programs for youth 5-8 years of age. The Union County 4-H Cloverbuds Club was developed to encourage youth to become involved with 4-H throughout the ages of 9-18. The 4-H Youth Development programs are designed to provide youth with the opportunity to make new friends, and develop new skills. 4-H programs give youth a sense of belonging by creating positive learning experiences to explore their personal spark. Youth from the ages of 5-8 have so much spirit and enthusiasm.  
Author: Annette Buckman
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
Obesity has become a significant issue among both adults and youth, presenting a major concern. Kentucky finds itself among the top five states in terms of obesity rates, with 36% of adults affected, and among the top seven for physical inactivity, with 32% of its population inactive. The Union County Health Rankings indicate that 37% of the adult population in Union County suffers from obesity, while an identical percentage is physically inactive.The monthly educational cooking prog
Author: Katie Hughes
Major Program: Cook Together, Eat Together
The problem supplies of vegetables and fruit from local producers The educational program response I held a charcuterie class at the local senior center that promoted KY proud vegetables and fruit to be used for seniors to create their own charcuterie board. All items were free and the audience learn different ways to create their board but also what vegetables or fruit was available during the time of the class and where to find local KY proud producers. The participants/target
