Active Living and Health Promotion
Improve Physical and Mental Health
Kendyl Redding, Jason Vaughn
Active Living and Health Promotions General
Nutrition and Food Systems General
Health
Local Food Systems
With the increased trend of chronic disease and obesity in Kentucky, individuals, families, and communities need tools and environments that support healthy and active lifestyle choices. CES agents are encouraged to reach diverse audiences to help combat chronic disease and obesity in Kentucky communities. Focusing on a foundation of overall direct health education to increase health literacy and ability to make healthy lifestyle choices. Including, creating spaces or opportunities for active living and health behaviors.
- 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
Outcome: Nutrition knowledge and dietary intake
Indicator: Number of individuals who reported: eating 4-6 servings of fruits and/or vegetables daily; utilize the food label to make healthy food choices; choosing smaller portions
Method: Self-report surveys
Timeline: Pre-post implementing curricula or program
Outcome: Physical Activity knowledge, skills, and competencies
Indicator: Number of individuals who reported: knowledge and skills gained about the benefits of physical activity; adoption of physical activity practices; increase in physical activity levels
Method: Self-report survey
Timeline: Pre-post implementing curricula or program
Outcome: Substance Use
Indicator: Number of individuals who reported: gained knowledge of the resources that are available for substance use in the community as a result of Extension programming
Method: Self-report survey
Timeline: Pre-post implementing curricula or program
Outcome: Chronic Disease Prevention
Indicator: Number of individuals who reported: participants who had one or more health indicator (cholesterol, blood pressure, body mass index, blood glucose) improved.
Method: Self-report survey
Timeline: Pre-post implementing curricula or program
Outcome: Availability / Access to healthy lifestyle choices
Indicator: Number of communities, health coalitions, or organizations who reported: implemented policy, system, and/or environmental changes to promote healthy eating and active living
Method: Self-report survey
Timeline: Pre-post implementing curricula or program
Audience: Communities
Project or Activity: Policy, Systems, and Environmental Approaches
Content or Curriculum: Faithful Families, Health Coalitions, Walking Trail/Groups, Active Community Toolkit, Be More Guide, local food promotion, Farmers' Market, resources for early care and education settings, Community Health Fair.
Inputs: Volunteers, grant funds, faith-based organizations, community partners, key stakeholders, elected officials, Department of Transportation, Health Coalitions, Employee Health and Wellness, SNAP-Ed Toolkit
Date: Ongoing projects throughout the year
Audience: Families and Individuals
Project or Activity: Chronic Disease Prevention
Content or Curriculum: Publications, Health Bulletins, Cook Together Eat Together, Mastering Food Choices, Truth and Consequences, Diabetes Management and Education, Fit Blue, Faithful Families, Body Balance, Plate It Up! Kentucky Proud Resources, Cooking Matters, Nutrition Education, Recipes for Life, Dinner Table Project, Home Gardening.
Inputs: Programmatic materials, paid staff, community partners, faith-based organizations, health coalitions, Healthcare Providers, Health Department, Non-profits, Schools, Company Health & Wellness, Homemakers, Community Centers, etc.
Date: Ongoing projects throughout the year
Project or Activity: Physical Activity
Content or Curriculum: Publications, Faithful Families, Home Gardening, Story Walk, Health Coalitions, Fit Blue, Health Partners, Girls on the Run, Stories, Songs, and Stretches.
Inputs: Paid staff, volunteers, facilities, health coalitions, Healthcare Providers, Health Department, Non-profits, Schools, Company Health & Wellness, FBOs, Homemakers, Community Centers
Date: Periodically each year
Audience: Kentucky Extension Homemakers Association/Volunteers
Project or Activity: Promoting Healthy Lifestyle Choices
Content or Curriculum: Master Health Volunteers, Health Bulletins, Monthly Leader Lessons
Inputs: Volunteers, paid staff, community partners
Date: Monthly
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Physical Activity and Making Healthy Lifestyle Choices
Content or Curriculum: Fit Blue, Truth and Consequences, 4-H Youth programs, Faithful Families, Cooking Matters, Nutrition Education, Recipes for Life, Dinner Table Project, Super Star Chef, After-school cooking program, family meal time, Girls on the Run, Stories, Songs, and Stretches.
Inputs: Programmatic materials, paid staff, community partners, faith-based organizations, health coalitions, Health Department, Non-profits, Schools, Company Health & Wellness, Homemakers, Community Centers, Library, etc.
Date: Ongoing projects throughout the year
Author: Kendyl Redding
Major Program: Active Living and Health Promotions General
According to the 2019 Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services Diabetes report, diabetes is a common disease in Kentucky and the nation, with type 2 diabetes being the most common form. The prevalence of diabetes among Kentucky adults has increased from 6.5% in 2000 to 12.9% in 2017. Kentucky was also reported to have the 4th highest mortality rate due to diabetes in the nation in 2016. This is an increase in ranking from 14th in 2014. Diabetes and obesity are chronic conditions of p
Author: Kendyl Redding
Major Program: Active Living and Health Promotions General
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many youth spent the majority of their time in a virtual classroom. Having to spend more time secluded indoors versus in a classroom with peers can be a difficult adjustment for kids. Therefore, the Powell County Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agent teamed up with the Powell County Health Coalition to teach youth the benefits of exercise on mental and physical health. The group assembled and distributed over 200 physical activity kits to students at th