Healthy LifestylesPlan of Work

Back to Plans for the County

Union County CES

Title:
Healthy Lifestyles
MAP:
Improving Community Nutrition, Health and Wellness
Agents Involved:
Bealmear
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Nurturing Parenting
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Taking Ownership of Your Diabetes Program (Curriculum)
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Youth Fruit & Vegetable Access
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Nurturing Families (general)
Situation:
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.
Long-Term Outcomes:
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
Intermediate Outcomes:
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.
Initial Outcomes:
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.
Evaluation:
Initial Outcome: 50% will indicate healthful lifestyle changes
Indicator: Increase in number of fruit and vegetable choices
Method: : observation, interviews, questionnaires
Timeline: July 2016 -

Intermediate Outcome: : Participants will increase amount of daily physical activity
Indicator: 50% increase in number of minutes of physical activity
Method:observation, interviews, questionaires
Timeline:

Long-term Outcome:
Indicator:
Method:
Timeline:
Learning Opportunities:
Audience: Adult Women
Project or Activity: Heart Health Lunch and Learn
Content or Curriculum:UK Publications
Inputs: Union County Health Coalition, Union County Methodist Hospital
Date: Feburary 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020

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 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020

Audience: Preschool Children
Project or Activity: LEAP
Content or Curriculum: LEAP Curriculum
Inputs: Union Couty Head Start
Date: Fall, Winter, Spring 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020

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: June 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020

Audience: Youth and Young Adults
Project or Activity: Health Fairs
Content of Curriculum: Agent Developed
Inputs: UC Schools
Date: Fall 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020

Audience: General Public
Project: Radio spots, newspaper articles
Content of Curriculum:UK Publications
Inputs:
Date: Weekly newspapers, 2xweek 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020

Audience: Adults
Project; Diabetes Support Group
Content or Curriculum: UK Publications
Inputs: Union County Methodist Hospital
Date: Monthly 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020

Audience: General Public
Project: Taste of Union County Homemakers
Content or Curriculum: Plate It Up Recipes
Inputs: Union County Homemakers, Local businesses
Date: November 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020

Audience: Adults
Project: Plate It Up
Content or Curriculum: Plate It Up
Inputs: Green River Area Homemakers, AgExpo
Date: August, October, January, March 2017, 2018,2019, 2020

Audience: UC Schools
Project: School gardens
Content or Curriculum: UK Publications
Inputs: UC School System
Date: 2017


Success Stories

Kentucky 4-H Babysitting Basics 4 Fun and 4 Profit

Author: Melanie Bealmear

Major Program: Nurturing Families (general)

Today’s families are stretched thin for care of children school-age and younger between heavy workloads, single parenting in many cases, elder caregiving, and children’s out of school activities. Middle-school and high school youth who are too young to find employment in the commercial sector are eager to earn money for personal wants and needs. They are willing to be trained as short-term child care providers, commonly known as babysitters.The Union County Extension Service Office F

Full Story

Simply Cooking

Author: Melanie Bealmear

Major Program: Plate It Up! Kentucky Proud

Kentucky adults rank among the 10 highest of poor consumption of fruits and vegetables, according to the Center of Disease Control.  Individuals who consume adequate amounts of fruits and vegetables tend to avoid chronic diseases as they age. The “Plate It Up! Kentucky Proud” program was created to promote Kentucky grown products and markets to encourage an increase in fruits and vegetables consumption.The Union County Family and Consumer Sciences Agent offered “Simpl

Full Story

Heart Health Lunch and Learn 2018

Author: Melanie Bealmear

Major Program: Making Healthy Lifestyle Choices (general)

“Heart disease kills more women than men each year, yet it is still mistakenly thought of as a “man’s disease.”  The facts regarding heart disease and women are cardiovascular disease kills about 460,00 women in a year, one in 2.5 women die from cardiovascular disease, 64% of women die from cardiovascular disease, and cardiovascular disease is largely preventable.The Union County Cooperative Extension Service teamed up with United Community Bank and Methodist Ho

Full Story

Union County Pedometer Challenge (May Success Story)

Author: Lauren Neltner

Major Program: Health 4-H Core Curriculum

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Kentucky adult obesity rates are among the 10 highest in the United States; and Kentucky youth rank among the 10 highest for obesity as well. In 2017, the Union County Extension Service hosted a pedometer challenge in one elementary school in the county. This year (2018), both Uniontown Elementary and Sturgis Elementary Schools Wellness Committees were interested in encouraging their youth to create a healthier and active life

Full Story

World's Greatest Baby Shower 2018

Author: Melanie Bealmear

Major Program: Nurturing Families (general)

The World’s Greatest Baby Shower educational program was organized in 2006 by the Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences.  Community partners agreed to host educational speakers on car seat safety, breastfeeding, infant dental care, and much more. The “Ask an Expert” session invites experts to answer important questions to expectant parents.  365 expectant moms have benefited from this educational program held every June at the Union County Middle School.&nb

Full Story

The Mouse is in the House

Author: Melanie Bealmear

Major Program: Nurturing Families (general)

Math/Literacy for preschoolers/The Mouse is in the HouseLiteracy and math initiatives have been identified as priorities and a vital component of kindergarten readiness in the Domains of Language and Communication and Cognitive/General Knowledge.  Only 63.4% of Union County kindergarteners scored average or above average in the Language and Communication Domain on the Brigance compared to 70.9% in Kentucky.  The screening showed that only 29.2 % of our entering kindergartener

Full Story

Super Star Chef 2018- “Kneads A Little Dough”

Author: Melanie Bealmear

Major Program: Food Preparation

The mission of the Super Star Chef series is to provide a fun and educational environment for youth to gain knowledge and learn skills which will lead to success in the kitchen. This hands-on cooking school is the third in the series and covers safety in the kitchen; reading a recipe; cooking techniques; baking Refrigerator Rolls, Buttermilk Biscuits, and Pie Crusts. Fifteen Union County youth participated in this 3-day program held at the Union County Extension Service Office, June 26-28, 2018.

Full Story
Back to Plans for the County