Extension
It Starts With Us
Get Fit Nicholas County
Healthy Living Initiative
Ashley Vice & Russ Muntifering
Nutrition and Food Systems General
Active Living and Health Promotions General
Health
Local Food Systems
Nicholas County is plagued by high rates of hypertension, diabetes, obesity/overweight, and incredibly low rates of consumption of fruits/vegetables and physical activity.
According to a 2012 survey by the CDC; 12.4% of adults have been diagnosed with diabetes, 31.7% of adults were obese and 33.7% of adults reported no exercise in the past month. Kentucky Health Facts goes on to state that 63% of the population in Nicholas County are overweight, 37% have been diagnosed with hypertension, and only 7% of the population consume the recommended 5 servings of fruits and vegetables daily.
Increase in physical activity and consumption of fruits and vegetables leading to a decrease in county wide diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and obesity rates
Participants utilize meal planning techniques
Intensification of current physical activity routine
Selection of new fruits and vegetables to taste and cook at home
Incorporation of healthy snacks into daily routine
Completing 30 minutes of physical activity a day
Initial Outcome: Selection of fruits and vegetables at home
Indicator: Increase purchases at farmers market and at local grocery
Method: Surveys of retailers and farmers market participants
Timeline: Ongoing
Intermediate Outcome: Intensification of physical activity
Indicator: Increase of YMCA memberships at local level and participation in NC FitBlue Challenge
Method: Survey of participants, enrollment and registration numbers
Timeline: Ongoing
Long-term Outcome: Increase in after school physical activity
Indicator: Participation in 21st Century programming
Method: Enrollment
Timeline: Ongoing
Audience: Nicholas County Youth
Project or Activity: 21st Century Health Club
Content or Curriculum: Dance Fit and Health Rocks
Inputs: Health curriculum, 21st Century coordinator, gym/location
Date: 2021-2024
Audience: Nicholas County Youth
Project or Activity: FitBlue
Content or Curriculum: FitBlue
Inputs: FitBlue app, marketing materials
Date: 2021-2024
Audience: Nicholas County Families
Project or Activity: Community Garden
Content or Curriculum: Plate it Up recipes, UK Publications, Food Preservation workshops
Inputs: Volunteers, garden space, recipe cards, curriculum
Date: 2021-2024
Audience: Nicholas County Families
Project or Activity: Cooking through the Calendar
Content or Curriculum: Plate it Up recipes included in the monthly calendar, UK Publications
Inputs: recipe cards, curriculum
Date: 2021-2024
Author: Ashley Vice
Major Program: Active Living and Health Promotions General
Nicholas County is a small rural population with limited resources, and an obesity rating of 41% according to a health report from US NEWS. With the obesity rating being nearly 6% more than the National Average, the Nicholas County Extension Agent for FCS/4-H collaborated with the FRYSC director at Nicholas County Elementary to develop an evening event encouraging families to come out and learn about healthy eating habits, food safety, and nutrition in a fun question and answer format.On April 1
