Extension
It Starts With Us
Healthy Henry
Making Healthy Lifestyle Choices
Cathy Toole
Active Living and Health Promotions General
Leadership
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.
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 well being depend on character development (Charactercounts.org)
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 mental health and well being of Kentuckians
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
Increased number of youth maintaining positive health habits;
Increased number of youth at a lower risk for serious disease and illness;
Increased number of youth at a lower risk for physical and emotional distress
Youth will develop into competent, capable, contributing adults as important developmental assets are met through their participation in 4-H Health programs.
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
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.
Increased adoption and mastery of healthy behaviors that lead to a healthy lifestyle that include making healthy lifestyle choices, not engaging in risky
behavior and handling stress.
Change in awareness, knowledge, opinions, skills, and attitudes needed to make informed choices regarding:mg
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 chronic disease
Youth will identify healthy lifestyle choices
Youth will understand risky behaviors and their consequences
Youth will aspire to have higher self esteem
Youth will identify healthy ways to handle stress
Intermediate Outcome: 30 individuals to implement preventative health practices
Indicator: practice physical activity and decrease time on sedentary behavior
Method: Questionnaire and personal testimony
Timeline: Living well program when allowed to resume due to Covid 19
Long-term Outcome: Improved Community Health
Indicator: Health Reports
Method: Health Department Figures
Timeline: On going
Initial Outcome: Youth will adopt healthier lifestyles.
Indicator: Attendance Records, instructor observation and discussions,
Method: Survey and Personal Observation
Timeline: October - May 2021
Long-term Outcome: Improved Community Health
Indicator: Surveying and observation
Method: Health Department Figures
Timeline: On going
Audience: Senior Citizens
Project or Activity:Living Well
Content or Curriculum: Making Healthy Lifestyle Choices
Inputs: Lessons/Handouts/presentation/promotion
Date: Fall 2019
Audience: Homemakers/General Public
Project or Activity: Leader Training
Content or Curriculum: Exercise Anytime
Inputs: Promotion/Evaluation
Date: Ap/May 2020
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Get Fit
Content or Curriculum: Spark
Inputs: Promotion/Evaluation
Date: Feb-Mar 2021 weekly
Audience; 4Hers 4-5th grade
Project or Activity: Jump into Food and Fitness
Content or Curriculum: UK approved
Inputs:teach activities in the beginning and advanced cooking clubs that meet monthly
Date: April 2021
Audience: 4Hers
Project or Activity: Beginning and Advanced cooking clubs
Content or Curriculum: UK approved
Inputs: teach proper cooking terms, how to read recipes, manners, setting table properly. Nutrition value of food. Healthy activities.
Date: October- May 2021
Author: Cathy Toole
Major Program: Building Healthy Coalitions
Henry County 4-Hers and the Henry County Cooperative Extension Service is making a difference in the lives of those that are shut-in due to Covid-19 in our community. This summer members of the Livestock Club and Rabbit/ Poultry Club took their animals to the Twin Oaks Assisted Living Facility. The youth gathered outside in the interior courtyard and took their animals around to each resident’s window and shared stories with them about their animals. The delight on the r
