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Contact Information

Craig Wood, Ph.D
Acting Associate Dean & Director
UK Cooperative Extension Service

S-107 Ag. Science Center North Lexington, KY 40546-0091

+1 (859) 257-4302

craig.wood@uky.edu

Impacts

Contact Information

Craig Wood, Ph.D
Acting Associate Dean & Director
UK Cooperative Extension Service

S-107 Ag. Science Center North Lexington, KY 40546-0091

+1 (859) 257-4302

craig.wood@uky.edu




Fiscal Year:
Jul 1, 2023 - Jun 30, 2024


Healthy Living: Increasing Physical and Mental Well-Being in Youth Plan of Work

Muhlenberg County CES

Title:
Healthy Living: Increasing Physical and Mental Well-Being in Youth
MAP:
Healthy Living: Increasing Physical and Mental Well-Being
Agents Involved:
Mackenzie Pogue
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Health
Situation:

Healthy living is one of three 4-H mission mandates and encompasses: physical activity, personal safety, mental health, addiction prevention, and diversity and inclusion.  In Kentucky 37% of youth 10-17 are overweight or obese, and 51% report not exercising regularly. 25% of youth report some form of emotional or behavioral condition and suicide rates are at record high (KY suicides per 100,000 people: 15.3, 10th highest in nation)Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health disease can affect anyone, with 1,160 reported opioid-involved deaths (a rate of 27.9 deaths per 100,000 persons) in Kentucky and Vaping nearly doubled among middle and high school students — with 27% of high school seniors reporting they had tried the product in 2018.  

Long-Term Outcomes:
  • Increased number of youth maintaining positive health habits; 

  • Increased number of youth at a lower risk for serious disease and illness; 

  • Increased number of youth at a lower risk for physical and emotional distress 

  • Reduce the number of youth reporting drug, alcohol, and tobacco use 

Intermediate Outcomes:
  • Increased adoption and mastery of healthy behaviors that lead to a healthy lifestyle  

  • Improved access and utilization of resources 

  • Improved perceived stress and ability to cope 

  • Youth will contribute to their communities 

  • Youth will practice refusal skills  

  • Youth will intervene to prevent use/abuse   

Initial Outcomes:
  • Improved in awareness of health concerns for youth 

  • Improved education about diversity and Inclusion  

  • Reduced stigma of individuals with MH disease 

  • Improved understanding of the consequences of risky behaviors  

  • Promote optimal physical, social and emotional health habits 

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Youth learning about healthy food choices through 4-H.  

Indicator: Number of youth who indicated they learned about healthy food choices through 4-H 

Method: Evaluation 

Timeline:

Intermediate Outcome: Youth learning to make healthy lifestyle choices as are result of what they learned through 4-H programming.

Indicator: Number of youth who indicated they made healthy lifestyle choices as are result of what they learned through 4-H programming. 

Method:Evaluation 

Timeline:


Long-term Outcome:Youth increasing their daily number of servings of fruits and vegetables eaten as a result of 4-H programs. 

Indicator: Number of youth who indicated they increased their daily number of servings of fruits and vegetables eaten as a result of 4-H programs. 

Method:Evaluation 

Timeline:

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Elementary School Students 

Project or Activity: Community Clubs & CloverBud Club 

Content or Curriculum: Mindful Me

Inputs: Teen and Adult Volunteers 

Date: Year Long 


Audience: Middle School Students 

Project or Activity: Community Club 

Content or Curriculum: GEM 

Inputs: Teen and Adult Leaders 

Date: Fall 


Audience: High School 

Project or Activity: STAND Club: School Assemblies, Red Ribbon Rally, Monthly Programs 

Content or Curriculum: Health Rocks!

Inputs: Teens and Adult Leaders 

Date: Year Round 



Success Stories

Walking Challenge Improves Health

Author: Roger "Darrell" Simpson

Major Program: Active Living and Health Promotions General

Low levels of physical activity, unhealthy nutrition, and poor mental health are all determinants of several chronic diseases. These behaviors are now considered major public health concerns and require effective behavior change interventions. FitBlue is a community-based campaign to increase physical activity and health awareness in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.  As participants use the FitBlue app, they have tools to transition to a more active lifestyle focusing on eating healthier, movi

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