Promoting Healthy Eating and Physical Activity
Making Healthy Lifestyle Choices
Jill Harris, Lee Ann McCuiston
Making Healthy Lifestyle Choices (general)
Fit Blue/Get Moving KY
4-H Leadership Core Curriculum
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 bear a heavier brunt of the obesity and chronic disease burden.
Healthy living is one of three 4-H mission mandates. Components of Kentucky 4-H Health Core Curriculum include: physical activity, substance abuse, bullying, safety, and character education. Moderate physical activity can reduce the risk of developing heart disease, diabetes, colon cancer, stress and high blood pressure. Early substance use in childhood/adolescence affects later drug use (National Healthy Living Task Force). Almost 30% of youth in the United States (or over 5.7 million) are estimated to be involved in bullying as either a bully, a target of bullying, or both (http://www.safeyouth.org/scripts/faq/bullying.asp). More persons aged 1-34 years die as a result of injuries than any other cause of death with motor vehicle crashes accounting for approximately half of those deaths (National 4-H Healthy Living Task Force). Individuals, their organizations and their societies’ effectiveness and wellbeing depend on character development (Charactercounts.org)
According to the most recent data about Todd County from KentuckyHealthFacts.org, 38% of adults lack physical activity compared to 29% for the state; 32% are obese; 70% are overweight compared to 67% statewide; only 17% eat the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables; 20% smoke compared to 27% of the state; 15% suffer from loss of 6 or more teeth; 25% of adults rate their health as less than good; 9% have diabetes; 29% have high blood pressure; deaths due to heart disease and stroke are slightly higher than the state average; 48% of women have adequate prenatal care; 8% of all babies are low birth weight; 71% of children ages 19-35 month have immunization coverage; 11% of youth smoke; 15% of children under the age of 19 are uninsured (6% higher than the state average); and drug arrests are higher than the state average. The Kentucky Cancer registry reports overall deaths from cancer slightly lower than the state average, but higher rates of colorectal cancer than the state average.
Additionally, the Todd County Health Department conducted a Community Health Needs Assessment and Community Health Improvement Plan utilizing the Mobilizing for Action through Planning and Partnerships (MAPP) in 2012. The Todd County Extension Service served as a partner in the process. Using community health data, a community forum, and individual perspectives, community partners identified obesity and substance abuse as the top two priorities to work on collectively. The group also created a vision of a healthy Todd County and is working together to address those needs. The Todd County Extension Family and Consumer Sciences survey revealed that of health issues, 93% ranked diabetes prevention the most important issue, followed by teaching children how to make healthy lifestyle choices (91%), maintaining healthy weight for adults (91%), increasing physical activity (89%), reducing the risk for chronic disease (89%), and improving oral health (84%).
The goal of the Todd County Extension Service 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.
Todd County adults and children will:
--increase their fruit and vegetable consumption
--improve their food management skills
--develop better eating habits
--youth will be food secure when school is not in session
--youth will prepare their own meals including fruits and vegetables.
--Improve their self-esteem and safety and have stronger, healthier bodies
Youth participating in 4-H clubs will increase their physical activity and therefore build muscle, decrease obesity and improve their lifestyles.
FCS:
Adults and children who participate in health and wellness programs will:
--reduce their risk factors for developing heart disease, cancer and diabetes
--decrease and maintain a healthy weight
--increase their consumption of healthy foods
--increase their overall health by participating in physical activity and reducing their sedentary time
--implement safety and wellness practices to improve the well-being of them and their children
Todd County adults and children will:
--access more locally grown fruits and vegetables
--preserve more locally grown produce
--apply improved food preparation skills, food management skills, food safety and healthy eating habits
--youth will access food sources when not in school
--include more fruits and vegetables in their diets.
--adopt at least one new physical activity in their weekly routine.
--Demonstrate self-esteem and an improved personal image.
FCS:
-Adults in the healthy weight classes will lose or maintain weight for at least 6 months.
--Adults and youth who participate in FIT Blue will engage in regular physical activity.
--Pre-schoolers who participate in LEAP will consume healthy fruits and vegetables.
--New and expectant mothers will implement health and safety measures for the infants.
--Extension Homemaker members will implement measures to improve their health and wellness.
Todd County adults and children will learn how to:
--access more locally grown fruits and vegetables
--preserve more locally grown produce
--apply improved food preparation skills, food management skills, food safety and healthy eating habits.
--learn about community resources that provide access food sources when not in school.
--Learn how consistent physical activity can improve their health and wellness.
--Learn how to like their bodies and personalities
FCS:
-Adults participating in healthy weight classes will learn how to lose weight.
--Adults and youth who will participate in the Get Moving KY and other physical activity programs will learn how to gradually increase their physical activity and reduce sedentary time
--Pre-schoolers who participate in LEAP will learn more about fruits and vegetables and try them.
--New and expectant mothers will implement health and safety measures for the infants.
--Extension Homemaker members learn how to improve their health and wellness.
Long-Term Outcome: 4-H youth will increase their physical activity and healthy eating habits by acquiring new and more frequent healthy lifestyle habits through the 4-H fitness, 4-H cooking club and circuit training groups.
Indicator: Record keeping of physical fitness routines will demonstrate an increase in habits.
Method: Pre and post tests, recorded data of fitness and follow up discussion. Plus a followup survey of multiple year participants will reveal long term growth and behavior changes in physical fitness.
Timeline: End of program year or end of program for circuit training.
Intermediate Outcome: Youth will eat more fruits and vegetables and exercise more in a given week after participating in the 4-H cooking club, fitness clubs and circuit training programs.
Indicator: A monthly food and fitness record will demonstrate the increased frequency of eating and exercising right.
Method: Pre and post tests, record keeping.
Timeline: End of program year and end of program for circuit training.
Initial Outcome: Youth will understand the importance of eating healthy and exercising regularly to improve their own self image and to lead a healthy lifestyle.
Indicator: Youth will gain knowledge and aspirations of eating right and becoming more physically fit.
Method: End of program surveys will assess the knowledge learned through the health and fitness lessons provided.
Timeline: End of program and program year.
FCS:
Initial Outcome: Individuals will be able to identify the components of a healthy diet as defined by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
Indicator: Number of individuals reporting an increase in knowledge related to the components of a healthy diet.
Method: Pre/Post written evaluation. Web-NEERS reports.
Timeline:
Intermediate Outcome: Individuals will adopt one recommendation from the dietary guidelines for the purpose of improving their diet.
Indicator: Number of individuals who reported adopting at least one of the recommendations from the dietary guidelines.
Method: Pre/Post written evaluation. Web-NEERS reports.
Timeline: Yearly
Long-term Outcome: Individuals will reduce their risk for nutrition-related health problems.
Indicator: Individuals will report reduced nutrition-related health problems as a result of making healthy eating choices.
Method: Pre/Post written evaluation. Change in health/disease data from Kentucky County Healthcare Profile Data (CEDIK).
Timeline: Yearly
Initial Outcome: Change in awareness, knowledge, opinions, skills, and attitudes needed to make informed choices regarding maintaining a healthy weight
Indicator: Number of individuals reporting understanding how to lose or maintain weight as related to a healthy diet.
Method: Pre/Post written evaluation.
Timeline: Yearly
Intermediate Outcome: Individuals will maintain appropriate calorie balance during each stage of life: childhood, adolescence, adulthood, pregnancy and breastfeeding and older age
Indicator: Number of individuals reporting losing or maintaining weight.
Method: Pre/Post written evaluation. Web-NEERS Reports.
Timeline: 6 months after class
Long-term Outcome: Individuals will maintain a healthy weight.
Indicator: Individuals will report sustained weight loss or healthy weight maintenance as a result of making healthy eating choices and physical activity.
Method: Pre/Post written evaluation. Change in BMI data from Kentucky County Healthcare Profile Data (CEDIK).
Timeline: Yearly
Initial Outcome: Individuals will recognize the importance of physical activity as part of a healthy lifestyle.
Indicator: Number of individuals reporting understanding the importance of physical activity related to a healthy diet.
Method: Pre/Post written evaluation. Web-NEERS Reports.
Timeline:
Intermediate Outcome: Individuals engage in regular physical activity.
Indicator: Number of individuals reporting participation in regular physical activity.
Method: Pre/Post written evaluation. Web-NEERS Reports.
Timeline: Yearly
Long-term Outcome: Individuals will increase their physical stamina.
Indicator: Increase in the number of individuals reporting the ability to engage in physical activity for a sustained period of time.
Method: Pre/Post written evaluation. Web-NEERS. Changes in physical activity data from the Kentucky County Healthcare Profile Data (CEDIK).
Timeline: Yearly
4-H youth development agent and 4-H volunteers will provide....
--4-H Cooking Class at 4-H Camp using the foods and SPARK curriculum in July
--4-H Cooking Club (monthly) SPARK and 4-H Foods
--Migrant Summer Day Camp (June ) SPARK and 4-H Foods
--Jump rope workshop for elementary school students and middle school students.
FCS:
Audience: Todd County Adults
Activity: Healthy Weight Classes
Content or Curriculum: Get Moving KY/Weight the Reality Series
Date: January - June
Audience: New and Expectant Mothers
Activity: World's Greatest Baby Shower
Content or Curriculum: Family and Consumer Sciences
Date: September
Audience: School Age Children
Activity: Nutrition Programs at Schools
Content or Curriculum: LEAP, Yummy Curriculum, Organwise
Date: Fall, Spring
Audience: Todd County Adults
Activity: Physical Activity
Content or Curriculum: Fit Blue
Date: Summer
Audience: Middle School Children
Activity: My Plate and other nutrition lessons
Content or Curriculum: UK FCS, My Plate
Inputs: FCS Agent, School System, SNAP Assistant, Community Partners
Date: School Year
Audience: Elementary School Children
Activity: My Plate and other nutrition lessons
Content or Curriculum: UK FCS, My Plate, Organwise
Inputs: FCS Agent, School System, Community Partners
Date: School Year
Audience: Todd County Adults
Activity: Dining with Diabetes
Content or Curriculum: UK FCS
Inputs: FCS Agent,
Date: School Year
Author: Jill Harris
Major Program: Fit Blue/Get Moving KY
Low levels of physical activity, unhealthy nutrition, and poor mental health are all determinants of several chronic diseases. These behaviors are now considered major public health concerns and require effective behavior change interventions. Fit Blue is a community-based campaign to increase physical activity and health awareness in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Building physical activity into the day does not require special equipment or a certain location. As participants take part in Fit Bl
Author: Lee Ann McCuiston
Major Program: 4-H Health Core Curriculum
Kids in the Kitchen is a new program provided by the Todd County Extension Office that is teaching kids how to cook healthy snacks and meals in the kitchen as well as bring parents together at the end of each class to taste and learn from their child/children. This proggram also developed their self-confidence and built skills such as reading, math, and following instructions while also teaching about nutrition, hand washing and safety. Todd County Extension's Kids in the Kitchen