Making Healthy Lifestyle ChoicesPlan of Work

Back to the Program

Leslie County CES

Title:
Making Healthy Lifestyle Choices
MAP:
Life Skills Development
Agents Involved:
Vicki R. Boggs, Dawna Jace Peters
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Active Living and Health Promotions General
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Nutrition and Food Systems General
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Health
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Family and Consumer Science
Situation:

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.  2020 Kentucky Nutrition Education Program Annual Report data indicated that 41% of Leslie County's adult population were considered obese.  Also, according to 2019 County Health Rankings and Roadmaps 34% of the county’s population was considered  physically inactive. Increased consumption of unhealthy food, stress, and built environments that promote physical inactivity are largely responsible for the obesity epidemic. According to the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky, Leslie County ranks 111th out of Kentucky’s 120 counties in regards to overall health. Substance abuse also continues to be a leading problem in Southeastern Kentucky including Leslie County.  Substance abuse and prevention is listed as one of the top needs in Leslie County as identified by our most current Needs Assessment published by University of Kentucky for Leslie County. Additionally, Kentucky’s population of seniors (65 and older) is expected to double in the next 40 years due to the aging Baby Boomers. Therefore, it is important to acknowledge the changes that accompany aging, in regard to health, independence and life quality throughout all stages of life. The Leslie County Extension Councils have identified healthy living during all stages of life as a major area of programming for our community.

Long-Term Outcomes:


-Increase in the practice and promotion of physical activity and healthy eating.

-Improvement in the physical and mental well-being of Leslie County residents of all ages including substance use prevention  and recovery from addictions

-Improve food management skills and healthy eating habits

-Become volunteers to make their community a better place to live for everyone

Intermediate Outcomes:

-Practice healthy food choices through out each stage of life and strengthen individuals’ abilities to build healthy eating plans and patterns.

-Practice of physical activity in families and communities and decrease time spent on sedentary behaviors.

-Strengthen community coalitions or partnerships to address obesity, physical inactivity, substance abuse, and chronic disease.


Initial Outcomes:

-Learn to grow, prepare and preserve food

-Increase knowledge and understanding of healthy eating, food safety and food resource management

-Commits to set family rules regarding eating together, limiting screen time, active play and exercise, set routines

-Change in awareness, knowledge, opinions, skills, and attitudes needed to make informed choices regarding: healthy lifestyle choices, childhood and youth obesity, adult weight management, healthy aging, practice and promotion of daily physical activity, and reduction of chronic diseases

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Healthier lifestyle choices are made as participants gain knowledge.

Indicator: Individual(s) acquire knowledge, skills, opinions, and aspirations.

Method: Observation; Written and verbal evaluations; Individual reports; NEERS reports

Timeline: July 2021-June 2022


Intermediate Outcome: Participants will make healthier lifestyle choices.

Indicator: Number of individual(s) that show positive changes in personal and nutritional choices.

Method: Observation; Written and verbal evaluations; Individual reports; NEERS reports

Timeline: July 2021-June 2022



Long-term Outcome: The health and well being of Leslie County is strengthened.

Indicator: Positive change in statistics regarding healthy eating, physical activity, and substance abuse.

Method: Data analysis

Timeline: Ongoing

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Youth (Ages 9-18)

Project or Activity: Super Star Chef

Content or Curriculum: FCS Curriculum

Inputs: FCS Agent; 4-H Agent; Extension Staff and volunteers;  NEP office

Date: June 2022


Audience: Adults and Youth

Project or Activity: What's Cooking Workshops

Content or Curriculum: Plate It Up Kentucky Proud; NEP calendar recipes

Inputs: FCS Agent; Extension volunteers

Date: August 2021-June 2022


Audience: Adults

Project or Activity: Get Moving, Leslie County

Content or Curriculum: FitBlue KY

Inputs: FCS Agent; 

Date: September 2021 -June 2022


Audience: Adults, Homemakers and Youth

Project or Activity: Community Gardening

Content or Curriculum: NEP, FCS and ANR current materials and resources

Inputs: 4-H Agent; FCS Agent; Extension volunteers

Date: Spring/Summer/Fall  2021-2022


Audience: Adults, Homemakers and Youth

Project or Activity: Container Gardening

Content or Curriculum: NEP, FCS and ANR current materials and resources

Inputs:  FCS Agent; Extension staff

Date: Spring 2021-2022


Audience: Adults, Youth, Families

Project or Activity: Cook Together Eat Together

Content or Curriculum: Cook Together Eat Together

Inputs: FCS Agent, Volunteers

Date: Summer/Fall 2021-2022


Audience: Adults, Homemakers, Youth and Community

Project or Activity: Food Preservation series 

Content or Curriculum: FCS  and 4-H curriculums

Inputs: FCS Agent; 4-H Agent, Extension Staff, and Volunteers

Date: Summer/Fall 2021-2022


Audience: Youth, Schools, Community Partners, Volunteers

Project or Activity: Backpack program: Feeding Leslie County Youth

Content or Curriculum: FCS, 4-H and related curriculum

Inputs: FCS Agent; 4-H Agent; Extension and Community Volunteers; 4-H Teens

Date: July 2021-June 2022; Ongoing


Audience: Youth (Grades 1-4)

Project or Activity: Exploring MyPlate with Professor Popcorn Program

Content or Curriculum: Exploring MyPlate with Professor Popcorn; Serving Up MyPlate: A Yummy Curriculum

Inputs: 4-H Agent; FCS Agent, Extension and Teacher/School Volunteers

Date: September 2021-May 2022


Audience: Low Income Families

Project or Activity: Leslie County Food Pantry

Content or Curriculum: Accessing Nutritious Foods and Plate it Up Recipes

Inputs: 4-H Agent; FCS Agent; Extension Staff; 4-H Teens; Churches; Fiscal Court; Schools; Homemakers; Community Partners and Volunteers

Date: July 2021-June 2022; Ongoing



Audience: Youth and Volunteers: ( Youth Grade 7-12)

Project or Activity:  Health Rocks 4-H Program

Content or Curriculum:  Health Rocks 4-H Approved Curriculum

Inputs: 4-H Agent; School Leaders/Teacher/Volunteers

Date: Implementing: 2021-2022 School Year



Success Stories

Taking Care of Mental Health During Cancer

Author: Vicki Boggs

Major Program: Active Living and Health Promotions General

Mental health issues after a cancer diagnosis are very common and also costly. Proven community-based prevention programs can increase participants’ knowledge and create positive changes in behavior. These programs could save thousands of dollars in health-care costs and even prevent deaths by suicide. Leslie County Extension, Family and Consumer Sciences presented Taking Care of Mental Health During Cancer to a total of 50 participants. After the program, 49 participants reported tha

Full Story

Professor PopCorn

Author: Vicki Boggs

Major Program: Active Living and Health Promotions General

 Obesity is a problem not only nationally but also in Leslie County. 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. 2020 Kentucky Nutrition Education Program Annual Report data indicated that 41% of Leslie County’s adult population were considered obese.  Also, according to 2019 County Health Rank

Full Story
Back to the Program