Extension
It Starts With Us
Improving Physically and Mentally
Improving Lifestyle Decisions
Price, Ammerman, 4H
Active Living and Health Promotions General
Nutrition and Food Systems General
Local Food Systems
Leadership
The obesity epidemic threatens the quality and years of life of Kentuckians. Obese individuals are at an 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. Between 2006-2012 in Grant County: 31.2% (44.4%-20.4%) of adults reported having been diagnosed with high blood pressure and 26.6% (36.1%-18.8%) of adults reported fair or poor health.
Another epidemic hitting Grant County is substance abuse. In 2014 there were 13 deaths in Grant County attributed to overdose, and three Neighboring counties are in the top 5 counties with the highest amount of overdoses. This is a growing issue that has to be addressed in order to bring awareness and eventually decrease the amount of substance abuse
- 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
Initial Outcome: Knowledge Gained
Indicator: Participants are able to recognize the difference between good and bad habits
Method: Written or Oral Evaluation, Pre and Post Test
Timeline: Immediate
Intermediate Outcome: Behavior Change
Indicator: Making the choice to practice good behaviors including eating nutritious foods, increasing physical activity, avoiding substance abuse, etc.
Method: Oral and Written Evaluations, Pre and Post Tests.
Timeline: 1-3 Years
Long-term Outcome: Changes in the health and lifestyles of Grant County residents
Indicator: Lower obesity rates, higher life longevity, and increased physical activity
Method: Noticeable changes in census data, health organizations data, and policy changes that promote healthy lifestyles and that address substance abuse.
Timeline: 10 years
Audience: Middle Schoolers
Project or Activity: Truth and Consequences: The Choice is Yours
Content or Curriculum: truth and Consequences
Inputs: Agents, schools, community organizations, community partners
Date: Spring 2021
Audience: Adults
Project or Activity: Making Healthy Lifestyle Choices
Content or Curriculum: Weight the Reality Series
Inputs: Agent, Curriculum, volunteers
Date: Jan 2021
Audience: Adults with diabetes and Caretakers
Project or Activity: Taking ownership of your diabetes
Content or Curriculum: Taking ownership of your diabetes
Inputs: Agents, NKY Health Department, Dietitians, curriculum
Date: Summer 2021
Audience: Families
Project or Activity: Family Mealtime
Content or Curriculum: Family Mealtime
Inputs: Agents, Assistants, community partners.
Date: Fall 2021
Audience: Grant County Citizens of all ages
Project or Activity: Biggest Winner
Content or Curriculum: Various programs
Inputs: Agents, Snap Assistant, program assistants, community partners, FFLAG
Date: April 2021
Audience: 3rd – 8th graders
Project or Activity: 4-H Boot Camp
Content or Curriculum: Various programs
Inputs: Agents, volunteers, schools
Date: October 2020 – April 2021
Audience: 3rd – 5th graders
Project or Activity: 4-H Fun, Fitness & Food Afterschool program
Content or Curriculum: Various programs
Inputs: Agents, Snap Assistant, program assistants, community partners, FFLAG
Date: Fall 2020
Audience: 3rd – 5th graders
Project or Activity: Fitness Club
Content or Curriculum: Various programs
Inputs: Agents, Snap Assistant, program assistants, community partners, FFLAG
Date: January 2021
Audience: Grant County Citizens of all ages
Project or Activity: promoting local food systems
Content or Curriculum: Plate It Up! Kentucky Proud
Inputs: Agents, farmers market, curriculum
Date: Summer 2021
Audience: adults
Project or Activity: Food Preservation
Content or Curriculum: UK Publications
Inputs: Agents, farmers market, curriculum
Date: Summer 2020
Audience: Preschool
Project or Activity: LEAP
Content or Curriculum: LEAP
Inputs: Agents, assistants, curriculum
Date: 2020-2021 School year
Audience: 5th Grade Students
Project or Activity: Recipe for Life
Content or Curriculum: Recipe for Life
Inputs: Agents, assistants, volunteers, schools, and curriculum
Date: Spring 2021
Audience: adults
Project or Activity: Food Preparation/Plate It Up KY Proud
Content or Curriculum: UK Publications
Inputs: Agents, farmers market, curriculum
Date: Summer 2021
Author: Chris Ammerman
Major Program: Master Gardener
The worldwide health pandemic has shifted outreach options and the steady uptick in positive cases linger doubts over the heads as to when we will see the end. In an effort to provide some positive energy into an otherwise dreary winter season, local Master Gardeners virtually collaborated to create a bulb starting initiative to place some spring blooms in the homes of the citizens of Grant County.Lead by Extension Master Gardeners, a take home planting and propagation program was develope
Author: Rachael Price
Major Program: Active Living and Health Promotions General
The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly affected our communities. The pandemic has brought new challenges and struggles that many have not had to deal with before, including an increase in overall mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. With this in mind, the Grant and Boone County Family and Consumer Sciences programs teamed up to bring a new program, Laughter, Motivation, and A Blueprint to Happiness, to our communities.This two part program developed by the University of Arkansas
Author: Rachael Price
Major Program: Active Living and Health Promotions General
Obesity and lack of physical activity is a continued concern for Kentuckians. In Grant County, the adult obesity rate is 35.6% while physical activity rate is only 30.2%. To combat this the Grant County Family and Consumer Sciences Program, and SNAP Education Program collaborated to offer a series of classes to discuss healthy living, finances, and physical activity. Topics discussed included My Plate, portion control, reading food labels, general food safety, the importance of
