Extension
It Starts With Us
Healthy & Active Lifestyles: Nutrition & Food Access, Physical & Mental Health
Improve Physical and Mental Health
Stearns, Guffey, & Cecil
Active Living and Health Promotions General
Substance Use Prevention and Recovery General
Health
Nutrition and Food Systems General
According to the 2020 County Health Rankings, 23% of residents in Clinton County smoke, 35% of residents are obese, and 8% of the population under age 65 is uninsured. Unfortunately our community’s overall health ranking has declined to 93rd in the state for health factors which addresses clinical care, health behaviors, as well as social and economic factors. Additionally, an estimated 25.7% of the residents live below the poverty level and the median household income in 2018 was $31,115 (U.S.Census QuickFacts). Feeding America’s Map the Meal Gap documents that the estimated food insecurity rate for the county is 16%. With such negative trends of chronic disease, individuals and families need tools and environments to support healthy and active lifestyle choices.
The data parallels what our residents know about our needs and the status of our community. Community Assessment results indicated the following prioritized issues in the Health and Wellness category: fewer chronic diseases (diabetes, heart disease, cancer, etc.); more sources for buying safe, affordable, fresh local foods; and improved affordability of health care insurance. Extension must continue to take an active role in addressing these issues as well as others related to active living and health behaviors.
- Reduce the rate of chronic disease and obesity
- Community environment promotes healthy behaviors where people live, learn, work, and play
- Increase in the practice and promotion of physical activity and healthy eating daily
- Instances of food insecurity will decline in the community
- The prevention and/or reduction of substance abuse and its related consequences
- Generate positive attitudes toward changing lifestyle choices to be more healthy
- Decrease tobacco and/or substance use
- Employ healthful cooking methods, feeding practices, and food preservation techniques
- Practice healthy food choices and strengthen individuals’ ability to build healthy eating plans and patterns
- Increased practice of physical activity in families and communities and decreased time spent on sedentary behaviors
- Increase in production and consumption of locally grown products
- Increased participation in the farmers market by both vendors and patrons
- Eligible families participate in nutrition assistance programs (SNAP, WIC, Summer Feeding, etc.) and utilize benefits including those for the farmers market (seniors and WIC)
- 4-H members realize profits from 4-H garden by selling produce at local farmers market
- Healthy lifestyle choices
- Practice and promotion of daily physical activity
- Reduction of chronic disease
- Gardening and the importance of sustainable local agriculture to health and financial well-being
- Food resource management
- Increased motivation to be active
- Improved food and nutrition-related skills (e.g., preparation techniques, safe food handling, gardening, food resource management
Initial Outcome: Participants will enhance knowledge of one or more health, nutrition, or physical activity practices
Indicator: Number of individuals with goals, intentions, and increased knowledge of making healthy diet choices and participation in physical activity. Number of individuals who gained knowledge of resources that are available for substance abuse as a result of Extension programming.
Method: Self-report surveys
Timeline: Pre-post implementing curricula or programIntermediate Outcome: Increased purchase and consumption of locally grown produce. Increased participation in and utilization of nutrition assistance benefits. Adoption of practices related to enhanced healthy eating and physical activity.
Indicator: Producer sales reports, reports from nutrition assistance programs, changes in 24 hour recalls, physical activity logs, follow-up evaluations with program participants using various evaluation instruments
Methods: Program evaluations, sales reports, secondary data from community partners
Timeline: Completion of program, market seasons, annual data
Long-term Outcome: Decreased number of obese/overweight youth and adults and reduction in chronic disease. Measurable changes/improvements in built environment. Increased policies regarding nutrition and physical activity. Decreased number of food insecure families. Decreased 30 day use of substances among youth. Social norms are less supportive of drug use and abuse.
Indicator: Number of environmental changes promoting health and physical activity, number of policies regarding physical activity and nutrition, decreased CDC obesity rate data, number of food insecure families
Methods: Qualitative and quantitative reports, state and national data review, environmental scans, etc.
Audience: Families with young children
Activity: Kids Korner Newsletter
Content or Curriculum: Exclusives, FCS Agent News Releases, publications, etc.
Inputs: Kentucky CES publications and resources
Date: July 2022-June 2023
Audience: General Public/youth and adults
Activity: Pumpkin Walk, Hoops for Health, Spring into Health, and other community health programs
Content or Curriculum: UK Health Care literature, HEEL bulletins, Health Department literature, community agencies, pedometers, screenings, displays, diabetes grant, physical activity options, etc.
Inputs: CES Staff, FRYSC, Healthy Hometown, Early Childhood Council, etc.
Date: Quarterly community health and wellness events beginning September/October 2022 as guidelines allow
Audience: General Public
Activity: Media (weekly newspaper articles and radio spots)
Content or Curriculum: Exclusives, FCS Agent News Releases, publications, HEEL materials, etc.
Inputs: CES staff, UK Specialists, eXtension, CDC, and other state Extension programs
Date: July 2022-June 2023
Audience: Freshman Students and Families
Activity: Truth and Consequences: The Choice is Yours
Content or Curriculum: Truth and Consequences program materials, local statistics and print materials.
Inputs: Clinton County Schools, various community partners, faith-based community, Chamber, Interagency, etc.
Date: TBD based upon school calendar & as guidelines allow
Audience: General Public/SNAP Recipients
Activity: Nutrition Education Program
Content or Curriculum: Healthy Choices for Every Body, LEAP, Super Star Chef, Cook Wild Kentucky, NEP materials, FCS publications
Inputs: Senior Center, Horizon Adult Day, faith-based community, schools, KINnections, volunteers, etc.
Date: July 2022-June 2023
Audience: General Public
Activity: Fit Blue/Big Blue Shape Up (localized Weight the Reality Series)
Content: Fit Blue, Couch Potato Challenge, Weight the Reality Series, Get Moving Kentucky, local agencies, health & wellness literature, etc.
Inputs: Extension Staff, Health Department, Cumberland Family Medical, Healthy Hometown, etc.
Date: Spring 2023
Audience: Kindergarten Students
Activity: Healthy Living Day at Early Childhood Center
Content: LEAP and other youth education materials
Inputs: Extension Staff, Healthy Hometown, Cumberland Family Medical, Aetna
Date: Spring 2023
Audience: Extension Homemakers, Community Partners, General Public
Activity: FCS Extension Newsletter
Content or Curriculum: Exclusives, FCS Agent News Releases, publications, etc.
Inputs: KY Extension Specialists, eXtension, etc.
Date: Monthly/Bimonthly July 2022-June 2023
Audience: Youth
Activity: Youth Nutrition, Health, & Wellness Enrichment Classes
Content or Curriculum: Wellness in Kentucky, MyPlate, FCS & 4-H Extension Curricula, eXtension, etc.
Inputs: Extension Staff, volunteers, schools, community partners
Date: Throughout year
Audience: Senior Adults/General Public
Content or Curriculum: Bingocize
Inputs: Churches, Nursing Home, Senior Life Improvement, Homemakers, etc.
Date: Summer/Fall 2022
Audience: Youth and families
Activity: Longest Day of Play
Content or Curriculum: LEAP, health and wellness bulletins, Health Rocks, etc.
Inputs: Wellness Center, FRYSC, Administrative Office of the Courts, Healthy Hometown, community partners
Date: June 2023
Audience: Youth and families
Activity: Cook Together, Eat Together
Content or Curriculum: Cook Together, Eat Together
Inputs: Families, Extension staff, Volunteers
Date: Throughout year
Audience: 5th Grade Students
Activity: Recipes for Life
Content or Curriculum:
Inputs: FRYSC, School, Volunteers
Date: TBD based on school calendar & as guidelines allow
Audience: Communities
Project or Activity: Policy, Systems, & Environmental Approaches
Content or Curriculum: Faithful Families, Health Coalition, Community Story Walks, Fit Trails, Trail Development, Continued work from CDC Obesity Prevention Grant
Inputs: Volunteers, faith based community, community partners, elected officials, employee health and wellness, etc.
Date: Ongoing
Audience: Adults
Activity: Recipe Walk with Ease
Content or Curriculum: Walk with Ease program materials
Inputs: Volunteers, employee health and wellness, community partners
Date: Fall 2022
Author: Christy Stearns
Major Program: Nutrition and Food Systems General
The Clinton County Extension Office hosted the five-lesson program titled Sustainable Kentucky to educate consumers about what sustainable eating is and practical strategies that can be made when purchasing food that is beneficial for both environmental and human health. On average, approximately six people participated in each workshop with most attending four or more sessions in the program. Lesson one focused on basic understanding of sustainable eating and the benefits on the local
Author: Christy Stearns
Major Program: Recipes for Life
According to 2023 County Health Rankings, Clinton County is ranked among the least healthy counties in Kentucky particularly in terms of health factors which represent those things we can modify to improve the length and quality of life for residents. To continue the promotion of healthy lifestyle behaviors, Clinton County Family and Consumer Sciences Agent and Nutrition Education Assistant collaborated with eight administrators and teachers with the Clinton County School District to offer the R
Author: Christy Stearns
Major Program: Active Living and Health Promotions General
Clinton County has a 38% physical inactivity rate according to the 2023 County Health Rankings. Adults indicated the need for new programs that encouraged walking and other healthy lifestyle habits. To address this need, the Clinton County Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agent became certified as a program leader and offered the Walk With Ease Program from the Arthritis Foundation. While walking is the central activity, Walk With Ease is a multi-component program that also includes health
Author: Christy Stearns
Major Program: Aging-General
Community members of all ages need enhanced opportunities for physical and mental health. As baby boomers are entering retirement, between 2010 and 2025 the population ages 65 and over in Clinton County are projected to increase by 22.7% (KY By the Numbers, Clinton County Data Profile). One area of significant ranking from the 2019 Kentucky Extension Community Assessment was more senior citizen support programs. With an anticipated growing senior adult population and the identified need for more
Author: Christy Stearns
Major Program: Active Living and Health Promotions General
2023 Kentucky County Health Rankings data for Clinton County notes that adults reported that their physical health was not good on 5.3 of the previous 30 days and that their mental health was not good on 6.1 days of the same period. The therapeutic benefits of gardening on both physical and mental health are widely noted. According to the National Library of Medicine (October 2022), these benefits include high quality of life, sleep improvement, increased hope, happiness, reduction of symptoms o
