Grayson County CES

Title:

Promoting Healthy Lifestyles and Communities

MAP:

Making Healthy Lifestyle Choices

Agents Involved:

Taul, N.

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Substance Use Recovery - FCS

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Active Living and Health Promotions General

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Cook Together, Eat Together

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Nutrition and Food Systems General

Situation:

With the increased trend of chronic disease and obesity in Kentucky, individuals, families, and communities need tools and environments that support healthy and active lifestyle choices. In Grayson County 22.1% of adults reported they were in poor or fair health in 2016. Additionally, 15.3% of adults in Grayson County reported suffering from Diabetes, and 33% from obesity. CES agents are encouraged to reach diverse audiences to help combat chronic disease and obesity in Kentucky communities. Focusing on a foundation of overall direct health education to increase health literacy and ability to make healthy lifestyle choices. Including, creating spaces or opportunities for active living and health behaviors.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Reduce the rate of chronic disease and obesity

Intermediate Outcomes:

Generate positive attitudes toward changing lifestyle choices to be more healthy

Initial Outcomes:

Increase confidence in ability to employ healthy practices and improve food and nutrition related skills.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Nutrition Knowledge and Dietary Intake

Indicator: Number of individuals who reported: eating 4-6 servings of fruits and/or vegetables daily; utilize the food label to make healthy food choices; choosing smaller portions. 

Method: Self report surveys

Timeline: pre/post program implementation

Intermediate Outcome: Chronic Disease Prevention

Indicator: Number of individuals who reported: one or more health indicators improved (cholesterol, blood pressure, body mass index, blood glucose, etc.)

Method: Self report survey

Timeline: 3 months following program

Long-term Outcome: Availability/Access to healthy lifestyle choices

Indicator: Number of communities, healthy coalitions, or organizations who reported implementing policy, system, and/or environmental changes to promote healthy eating an active living. 

Method: Self report survey

Timeline: 6 months following program

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Communities

Project or Activity: Policy, Systems, and Environmental Approaches

Content or Curriculum: Faithful Families, Healthy Coalitions, Story Walk, Shared Space Arrangements, Trail Development, Active Community Toolkit, Be more Guide, resources for early care and education settings. 

Inputs: Volunteers, grant funding, faith-based organizations, community partners, key stake holders, elected officials, FCS agent, paid staff, CES resources and publications. 

Date: Ongoing projects throughout the year

Audience: Families and Individuals, General Public

Project or Activity: Chronic Disease Prevention

Content or Curriculum: Publications, Health Bulletins, Cook Together Eat Together, Mastering Food Choices, Dining with Diabetes, Fit Blue, Faithful Families, Body Balance, PIU, WIN, Kick Kentucky Cancer, Keys to Embracing Aging

Inputs: Programmatic materials, paid staff, community partners, faith-based organizations, health coalitions, healthcare providers, health department, non-profits, schools, company health and wellness, homemakers, community centers, etc. 

Date: Ongoing projects throughout the year

Audience: Facebook and Social Media Users/General Public

Project or Activity: Social media posts and/or virtual programming regarding promotion of healthy lifestyles and communities

Content or Curriculum: various research based resources

Inputs: UK Specialists, paid Extension Staff, social media outlets

Date: FY 2024

Success Stories

FitTober Walking Challenge: Building Community and Wellness Through Movement

Author: Natalie Taul

Major Program: Active Living and Health Promotions General

The FitTober Community Walking Challenge proved to be an outstanding success, engaging 152 registered participants in a month-long journey to prioritize physical activity and well-being. Of those who signed up, 81 participants completed the program by submitting their total step counts, collectively reporting an incredible 18,266,400 steps. This achievement reflects not only the participants' commitment but also the program’s ability to motivate and empower individuals to move more in

Full Story