Carter County CES

Title:

Making Healthy Lifestyle Choices

MAP:

Making Healthy Lifestyle Choices

Agents Involved:

Rebecca Hayes and FCS, Rebecca Konopka

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Substance Use Prevention and Recovery General

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Family and Consumer Science

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Health

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Active Living and Health Promotions General

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. 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 2019 KY By the Numbers reports that 42% of adults in Carter County were obese. Between 2009 and 2013 there were 39 reported overdose deaths. 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 also one of the three 4-H mission mandates. Components of Kentucky 4-H Health Core Curriculum include: physical activity, substance abuse, bullying, safety, and character education. Both the FCS and 4-H advisory councils have identified this a one of the greatest needs in Carter County.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Increased number of youth maintaining positive health habits;

Increased number of youth at 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.

Increased number of adults maintaining healthy habits, including nutrition and exercise. 

Decrease in the number of adults who are obese. 

Intermediate Outcomes:

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.

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

Community members advocate for policy

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.

Initial Outcomes:

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

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
• Policies that that reduce the level of obesity
• Reduction of chronic disease

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Students develop a better understanding of the consequences of substance abuse

Indicator: Number of students who indicate a greater understanding.

Method: Post Test for Truth and Consequences

Timeline: Day of the program

Intermediate Outcome: Students are no longer engaging is substance abuse or chose not to engage.

Indicator: Number of students who report they are not engaging in substance abuse.

Method: Follow-up survey

Timeline: 6 months

Long-term Outcome: Students/Young adult substance abuse use decreases

Indicator: Number of students who report they have not engaged in substance abuse three years after the program.

Method: KIP Survey

Timeline: 3 years after the program.

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: 4-H Members

Project or Activity: Healthy Snacks

Content or Curriculum: Professor Popcorn, Teen Cuisine, SNAP-Ed

Inputs: Volunteers, Staff

Date: During the school year

Audience: 9th grade students

Project or Activity: Truth and Consequences

Content or Curriculum: UK publications/curriculum

Inputs: FCS Agent, Youth service centers, community partners, community agencies, elected officials, Extension volunteers, Drug Free Coalition, parents

Date: Spring

Audience: Families, Preschoolers, Youth, Individuals, Seniors, Extension Homemakers

Project or Activity: Physical Activity Promotion

Inputs: Extension Staff, KEHA leaders, Health Bulletins, Chapel and Friendship House

Content or Curriculum: UK publications, WIN, Keys to Aging, LEAP

Date: January - December 

Audience: Extension Homemakers

Project or Activity: Monthly Lessons 

Content or Curriculum: Keys to Aging

Inputs: Chapel and Friendship House, Extension Staff, Homemaker Leaders

Date: Monthly

Success Stories