Extension
It Starts With Us
Developing Healthy Lifestyles
Enhancing the Health and Well Being of Indivduals and Families Across the Life Span
Adam Estes, Sonya Carter, Julia Wilson
Family Development General
Active Living and Health Promotions General
Nutrition and Food Systems General
Health
“School-readiness” is a broad term that refers to multiple precursor cognitive, physical, and social-emotional skills that indicate young children are prepared to learn and thrive in the school environment. A wide body of research shows a strong foundation in school readiness is indicative of school success. Emerging research also indicates that there is a synergistic effect when early learning activities activate physical and cognitive skills simultaneously, as opposed to doing so in isolation. However, in the state of Kentucky only 50% of children are deemed “school-ready” when they enter Kindergarten. These numbers indicate a need for more activities that support school-readiness by building multiple skill sets simultaneously.
The Centers for Disease Control found in a nationally representative survey that only 29% of high school youth participated in at least 60 minutes of physical activity on each of the seven days before the survey. Participation in physical activity decreases as we age.Only 13% of Hart County residents get the daily recommended number of fruits and vegetables each day. (Kyhealthfacts.org)
People are living longer. Kentucky’s current population of seniors (65+) is 16.4% (2019 Census Data). By 2040 it is projected that every district will see an increase in the percent of the population that is age 65 and older (Zimmerman/KY by the Numbers). As the largest and fastest-growing segment of the U.S. population, older adults influence everything from consumer behavior to health-care costs (U.S. Census). While we may be adding years to life, there is concern about life quality. This is because a person’s life expectancy, the total number of years a person is expected to live, does not always match a person’s “health span”—time spent in good health (Institute of Medicine). The life expectancy of Kentuckians, 75.1 years, fluctuates as much as 9 years between counties and ranks among the bottom five states. Heavily influenced by life-long lifestyle behaviors and choices, including quality of diet, physical activity and tobacco use, the Kentuckian health span is also below national averages. Kentucky FCS can help individuals and families establish healthy lifestyle behaviors and relationships throughout the lifespan as way to positively influence optimal aging and help reduce issues such as chronic disease, obesity, opioid and alcohol abuse, and mental illness.
Adults and Youth maintain positive health habits.
• Individuals are at a lower risk for serious disease and illness.
• Individuals are at a lower risk for physical and emotional distress.
• As a result of participating in Extension programming Hart County citizens will make improvements to their health which will lead to them having a better quality of life.
- Individuals adopt healthy behaviors that lead to a healthy lifestyle that include making healthy lifestyle choices, not engaging in risky behavior and handling stress.
- Individuals will practice healthy eating habits and exercise to improve their health and well being.
- Individuals identify healthy lifestyle choices.
- Individuals understand risky behaviors and their consequences.
- Individuals aspire to have higher self-esteem.
- Individuals identify healthy ways to handle stress.
- Outcome: Community awareness along with health and drug statistics in Hart County will improve. The number of families reporting healthy habits and lifestyle choices will increase.
- Indicator: The number of youth and families adopting healthy behaviors will increase.
- Method: The number of participants keeping activity logs and reporting increase in fruits and vegetables, physical activity and overall lifestyle choices.
- Timeline: July 2021 - June 2022
Learning Opportunities (repeat as needed):
Audience: 9th Grade Youth
Project or Activity: Truth and Consequences
Content or Curriculum: Truth and Consequences Curriculum
Inputs: School Staff; Extension Council
Date: Fall 2023Audience: 7th Grade Youth
Project or Activity: STOP Program
Content or Curriculum: STOP Curriculum
Inputs: School Staff
Date: 2023-2024 School YearAudience: 4th Grade Youth
Project or Activity: Farm Safety Day Camp
Content or Curriculum: Farm Safety Handbook; Hand Washing Lessons
Inputs: School System Staff & Family Resource Centers
Date: Fall 2023Audience: Adults
Project or Activity: Recipe Testing and Publication
Content or Curriculum: Plate it Up! Kentucky Proud
Inputs: General Population
Date: July 2023- June 2024Audience: Adults and Youth
Project or Activity: Learning to Can, Freeze, and Dry Fruits and Vegetables
Content or Curriculum: Food Preservation
Inputs: Youth and Adults
Date: July 2023 - June 2024Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Youth Fruit and Vegetable Access
Content or Curriculum: LEAP
Inputs: Youth
Date: July 2023- June 2024
Audience: Adults
Project or Activity: Farmers Market
Content or Curriculum: Famers Market
Inputs: Adults
Date: July 2023- August 2024
Audience: 7th Grade Students
Project or Activity: Positive Choices
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Health
Inputs: Youth
Date: Fall 2023
Audience: High School FMD Students
Project or Activity: Preparing Healthy Meals
Content or Curriculum: Plate It Up proud
Inputs: Youth
Date: Fall 2023 –Spring 2024
Audience: 3rd Grade/ Elementary Youth
Project or Activity: Mindful Me
Content or Curriculum: Mindful Me Curriculum
Inputs: School Staff; Extension Council
Date: Fall 2023- Spring 2024
Author: Sonya Carter
Major Program: LEAP
According to the State of Childhood Obesity, Kentucky’s children between the ages of 10-17 have the next to highest obesity rate in nation with the obesity rate of 25.5%. According to www.countyhealthrankings.org Hart County adults have an obesity rate of 41%. The Hart County Extension Family Consumer Science Agent partnered with Hart County School’s Family Resource Youth Service Center Coordinators to provide the Literacy, Eating and Activity for Primary (LEAP) lessons in all five e
Author: Sonya Carter
Major Program: Substance Use Prevention and Recovery General
According to the Center for Disease Control, 14.4% of Kentucky children had their first drink of alcohol before age 13 and 6.1% of Kentucky children tried marijuana for the first time before age 13. Additionally, 11.9 % of high school students currently use marijuana. As substance abuse continues to devastate our communities, the Family Consumer Science agent provided Life Skills Training to 6th graders in the county. The Botvin Life Skills training is an evidence based prevention program for sc
Author: Sonya Carter
Major Program: Child Development General
The Family Consumer Science agent collaborated with numerous organizations to provide educational sessions to expecting parents. Many organizations provided services to the participants, including Barren River Health Department, Crossroads Pregnancy Center, Hart County Schools, Kentucky ASAP, Hart County Public Library, Hart County Child Support, and Kentucky Hands. There were 38 mothers signed up to attend. The participants listened to presentations on Sleepin
Author: Sonya Carter
Major Program: Food Preparation and Preservation
In the fall of 2023, the Family Consumer Science Agent offered a class on Freezing/Dehydrating and preserving apples. ?We discussed freezing & dehydrating fresh fruit. We dehydrated some apples & made some apple pie filling that is ready to eat or be frozen. ?This group of participants did a marvelous job & had lots of fun learning together. The participants all stated they learned something. They all stated that they would be interested in taking more food preservation classes.
Author: Julia Wilson
Major Program: Family and Consumer Science
Nearly 15% of Hart County residents are food insecure. That means they are uncertain of having, or unable to acquire, enough food. (Kentucky By the Numbers). Inflation has increased food insecurity. People are looking for ways to stretch their dollars and to become more self-sufficient.The Hart County Extension Office has offered free seeds to the public for the past four years thanks to donations from Rural King in Glasgow and Ace Hardware in Munfordville. The staff created a “
Author: Julia Wilson
Major Program: Substance Use and Mental Health – 4-H Youth Development
Mental health is a vital part of children’s overall health and well-being; it includes children’s mental, emotional, and behavioral wellness. According to the American Psychological Association, recent studies have shown that children’s mental health has been negatively affected over the past few years from social media and the Covid-19 pandemic. Learning to be mindful has had a positive effect on children’s mental health. In order to help children improve their men
