Extension
It Starts With Us
Making Healthy Lifestyle Choices
Life Skills Development
Vicki R. Boggs, Dawna Jace Peters
Active Living and Health Promotions General
Nutrition and Food Systems General
Health
Family and Consumer Science
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.
-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
-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.
-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
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
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
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
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
