Accessing Nutritious Foods
Accessing Nutritious Foods
Kendyl Redding
Making Healthy Lifestyle Choices (general)
Accessing Nutritious Foods (general)
Food Preservation
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. Minorities and individuals residing in Appalachia bear a heavier brunt of the obesity and chronic disease burden. The goal of the Making Healthy Lifestyle Choices Initiative is to reverse these trends by working with various organizations, agencies, and groups to promote the health and wellness in all Kentuckians.
A decrease in the number of obese and overweight children, youth, adults and elderly
Increase in the practice and promotion of physical activity and healthy eating daily
Improvement in the built environment to promote physical activity and healthy eating
Improvement in the mental health and well being of Powell County residents.
Manage and prevent the risk, debilitation, and premature death related to diabetes, cancer, heart disease, stroke and hypertension
Increase the estimated health savings in dollars for chronic disease.
Increase policies that address obesity, physical inactivity and promotion of poor nutrition
Practice healthy food choices and strengthen individuals’ ability to build healthy eating plans and patterns.
Maintain appropriate calorie balance during each stage of life: childhood, adolescence, adulthood, pregnancy and breastfeeding and older age
Practice of physical activity in families and communities and decreased time spent on sedentary behaviors
Community members advocate for policy
Changes related to obesity, physical activity and healthy eating.
Strengthen community coalitions or partnerships to address obesity, physical inactivity and chronic disease.
Practice healthy lifestyle decision-making that strengthen individuals’ ability to cope with normal life stressors.
Change in awareness, knowledge, opinions, skills, and attitudes needed to make informed choices regarding:
Healthy lifestyle choices
Childhood and youth obesity
Adult weight management
Healthy aging
Practice and promotion of daily physical activity
Policies that that reduce the level of obesity
Reduction of symptoms related to chronic disease
Initial Outcome: Individuals and families intend to utilize community resources and extension programs.
Indicator: Knowledge and skills are gained regarding healthy eating habits, physical activity, healthy aging, and food safety/preparation.
Method: Pre and post evaluations, personal observations, and goal setting.
Timeline: 1 year
Intermediate Outcome: Participants show positive changes related to healthy eating, physical activity, and weight management.
Indicator: Apply skills of food resource management, food safety, and food preparation to afford healthy, nutritious food choices. Increase access to fresh fruits and vegetables.
Method: Follow up surveys, personal observation, personal success stories from the community.
Timeline: 2 years
Long-term Outcome: Participants make permanent lifestyle changes to their diet and physical activity routine and maintain good health.
Indicator: Increase in the use of community resources and extension programs. Increase in physical activity, healthy eating practices, and consumption of fruits and vegetables.
Method: Personal observation, success stories from the community, increase participation at community events and programs related to health and wellness.
Timeline: 1-4 years
Audience: Families and individuals
Project or Activity: Food Preservation
Content or Curriculum: CES publications and NEP resources
Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service Agent, NEP staff, specialist, and volunteers. CES publications and resources.
Date: Summer/FallAudience: Plate It Up Kentucky Proud
Project or Activity: Plate It Up recipe demonstrations at food pantries and farmer's market.
Content or Curriculum: Plate It Up recipes and resources. CES publications.
Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service agent, community partners, farmer's market vendors, and NEP assistants. CES resources and publications.
Date: 1-4 years
Audience: Preschool and cloverbud youth
Project or Activity: LEAP
Content or Curriculum: LEAP curriculum and resources.
Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service agent, CES publications and resources, community partners, KEHA.
Date: 1-4 years
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Super Star Chef
Content or Curriculum: Super Star Chef Curriculum, NEP Resources
Inputs: NEP resources, NEP Staff, SNAP-Ed Assistant, Office Staff, Agents
Date: Summer
Author: Kendyl Redding
Major Program: Accessing Nutritious Foods (general)
According to the 2018 Annual SNAP-Ed Report for Kentucky, at least one out of 3 Kentucky children are overweight or obese. Nearly half of Kentucky children consume fruits less than once daily, well below the 1½ to 2 cups daily recommended by USDA MyPlate. Children who consume low amounts of fruits and vegetables are at greater risk for many nutrition related health problems. According to the Centers for Disease Control, “eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables daily can help red
Author: Kendyl Redding
Major Program: Farmer's Markets
In 2019, the Farmers’ Market had an increase of 14 new vendors, making a total of 18 vendors at the market. We have two locations in the county and they are set up almost every day of the week between the two of them. The Powell County Farmers’ Market participates in the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program through the Kentucky Department of Agriculture. In 2019, the Extension office issued about 300 voucher booklets which amount to about $9,000 in senior benefits to b