Improve Physical and Mental Health Plan of Work

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Allen County CES

Title:
Improve Physical and Mental Health
MAP:
Health and Wellness
Agents Involved:
Kelly Burgess, Anna Meador, Adam Huber
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Food Preparation and Preservation
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Nutrition and Food Systems General
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Active Living and Health Promotions General
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Stories, Songs, and Stretches
Situation:

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. Particularly in Allen County, the obesity rate is higher than the state average, 41% and 35%, respectively (kentuckyhealthfacts.org). The percentage of diabetic Medicare enrollees ages 65-75 actively monitoring HgbA1c was 76% in 2018, which is below the state rate of 86% (County Health Rankings 2014).  In recent years, a higher percentage of the population now has access to outdoor physical activity opportunities after the opening of walking trails at Dugas Community Park. However, 24% of adults age 20+ report participating in no leisure time physical activity (County Health Rankings 2014). With several locations to be physically activity available to the public, the next step is motivating residents to take advantage of opportunities in the built environment to achieve health benefits. With 21.8% of the population living in poverty (in 2017) and 28% of children living in poverty in 2018 (census.gov), and only 6.3% of Kentuckians consuming recommended fruits and vegetables daily, the need for change is apparent. Allen County is the county that is currently the top vegetable producer (according to the 2017 Agriculture Census) in the state, so educating individuals on affordable and healthy food purchasing and preparation techniques will ultimately improve consumption of fruits and vegetables and improve health indicators by reducing incidence of chronic disease. The focus will be on direct health education to increase health literacy and ability to make healthy lifestyle choices.

Long-Term Outcomes:
Intermediate Outcomes:
Initial Outcomes:
Evaluation:

Initial Outcome:Increase 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 FitBlue, CHAT Team events


Intermediate Outcome:Improve nutrition knowledge and quality of 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 Cook Together, Eat Together, CookWild, Super Star Chef, Dining with Diabetes


Long-term Outcome:Increase the practice of making 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 Smarter Lunchrooms changes in schools

Long Term Outcome: Chronic Disease Prevention

Indicator:  Number of 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 Dining with Diabetes or Faithful families or FitBlue


Learning Opportunities:

Audience:Preschool and Early Elementary Children

Project or Activity:  Movement, Mindfulness, early development

Content or Curriculum: Stories, Songs, and Stretches

Inputs: FCS Agent, Volunteers, local Headstart and preschools, Allen Logan Simpson CECC, Health Department, Boys and Girls Club

Date: Fall 2020, ongoing

Project or Activity:  Cook Together, Eat Together

Content or Curriculum: Cook Together, Eat Together

Inputs: FCS Agent, NEP Assistant, Champion Food Volunteer, food supplies and cooking equipment

Date: Fall 2020-Spring 2021


Audience: School Age Children

Project or Activity:  Youth Fishing Day

Content or Curriculum: Hook to Cook, Food Preparation, Food Safety, CookWild Kentucky

Inputs: Agent time, KDFWR, Barren River Lake State Park, Army Corps of Engineers, Boys and Girls Club and FRYSC Allen County Scottsville, fishing and grilling equipment

Date: Summer 2021


Audience: Adults and Older Adults

Project or Activity:  Chronic Disease Prevention

Content or Curriculum: Dining with Diabetes

Inputs: Programmatic materials (Dining with Diabetes and Taking Ownership of Your Diabetes), FCS Agent, Local Dietitians (Health Department and Medical Center), Healthcare Providers and pharmacies

Date: Annual, Fall/Winter

Project or Activity: Encourage Physical Activity

Content or Curriculum: Faithful Families, Fit Blue

Inputs: FCS Agent, local churches, Allen County KEHA Members, Dugas Park, Local businesses, The CORE of Scottsville, Health Department

Date: Spring 2021


Audience: Communities

Project or Activity:  Policy, Systems, and Environmental Approaches

Content or Curriculum: Smarter Lunchrooms, Faithful Families

Inputs: Community partners (In Community Hunger Action Team), School Board and School System, local farmers, NEP Assistant, FCS Agent

Date: Spring 2021, ongoing



Success Stories

Keys to Embracing Aging during COVID-19

Author: Kelly Burgess

Major Program: Aging-General

Health and safety-related decisions that individuals and families make across the lifespan directly affect overall well-being and the ability to age well. Yet many individuals make choices which result in poor overall health and high chronic disease rates. During the COVID-19 pandemic, senior adults have been more prone to isolation than usual and more than other age groups due to increased immune vulnerability.  After speaking with the director of the Scottsville Senior Center, who stated

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Mammoth Cave Area Homemakers create Sensational Salads

Author: Kelly Burgess

Major Program: Nutrition and Food Systems General

Mammoth Cave Area Homemakers create Sensational Salads

Consuming the recommended amount of vegetables each day is linked to a reduced risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, some cancers, and obesity. This equals 2 to 3 cups of vegetables a day, depending on age and gender. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, only 6.3 percent of adults in Kentucky meet the daily vegetable intake recommendations. In order to increase vegetable consumption in Kentucky adults, the Allen County Extension office hosted the workshop Sensational Sa

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