Healthy LifestylesPlan of Work

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Union County CES

Title:
Healthy Lifestyles
MAP:
Jobs, Infrastructure, and Community Vitality
Agents Involved:
4-H Agent, FCS Agent
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Family Development General
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Plate It Up! Kentucky Proud
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Active Living and Health Promotions General
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Family Development General
Situation:

Union County ranks in the fourth quintile for deaths related to lung and colorectal cancer, chronic respiratory diseases, and suicide. Furthermore, approximately sixty-seven percent of adults are overweight or obese, twenty-five percent of youth are considered overweight, twenty-three percent of the population is physically inactive and Kentucky is ranked the sixth most sedentary state in the nation. As expressed by a CEC member, there is a need to dispel the myths surrounding fad diets as they relate to proper nutrition.

Children who are considered obese are 70 percent more likely to continue being obese into adulthood. Children who are obese at a young age are predisposed to obesity and morbid obesity in adulthood. Environmental factors, such as a lack of physical activity and technological advances have led to a more sedentary lifestyle. Today, obese children are much more likely to develop type 2 diabetes more than ever. The most occurring sign of discrimination among obese children is social and societal acceptance. This negative discrimination can lead to poor self-esteem and depression. With more than 40 percent of children watching 2 or more hours of television each day, the obesity trend is alarming.

The obesity epidemic threatens the quality and years of life of Kentuckians. Obese individuals are at increased risk for many chronic health conditions, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some types of cancers. The obesity rate in Kentucky increased 90 percent over the last 15 years. Thirty percent of individuals in the Commonwealth report no leisure-time physical activity. Increased consumption of unhealthy food, stress, and built environments that promote physical inactivity are largely responsible for the obesity epidemic. As a result, Kentuckians are dying from heart disease and cancer at higher rates than all Americans and they have a lower life expectancy, 75.5 years, compared to 78 years for Americans. The goal is to reverse these trends by working with various organizations, agencies, and groups to promote the health and wellness in all Kentuckians.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Union County residents will consistently make healthful lifestyle choices that will reduce their risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and additional weight-related diseases and resist engaging in fad diets. Manage and prevent the risk, debilitation, and premature death related to diabetes, cancer, heart disease, stroke and hypertension.

County residents will improve their health and physical stamina while learning to stretch their food dollar, improve the quality of family meals, and have a renewed awareness of food safety issues. As indicated by HEEL data, youth will grow up to be healthier adults as a result of developing healthy lifestyles during childhood relating to diet, physical activity and tobacco, alcohol and other drug use

Intermediate Outcomes:

Participants will increase the amount of physical activity in their daily habits; reduce the amount of fat, sodium, and sugar content in their diet; increase the fiber content of their diet; and incorporate safe food handling techniques in daily food preparation.


Youth will choose to eat more fruits & veggies instead of less healthy fats & sweets; choose a more active lifestyle that includes more physical activity; and abstain from risky behavior including tobacco use, drugs and alcohol.


Clientele will teach and model positive diet behaviors that promote lifelong health for youth; apply their knowledge in order to follow dietary guidelines when choosing foods; and begin engaging in physical activity.


Clientele will maintain appropriate calorie balance during each stage of life: childhood, adolescence, adulthood, pregnancy and breastfeeding and older age.

Initial Outcomes:

Clientele will learn recommended dietary guidelines for food group servings and serving sizes; how to prepare nutritious meals; techniques to reduce the fat, sodium and sugar content in recipes; techniques for healthful ordering when eating “out”; and safe food selection, handling, preparation and serving techniques.

Union County residents will learn and aspire to increase their daily physical activity.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: 50% will indicate healthful lifestyle changes

Indicator: Increase in number of fruit and vegetable choices

Method: : observation, interviews, questionnaires

Timeline: Yearly


Intermediate Outcome: : Participants will increase amount of daily physical activity

Indicator: 50% increase in number of minutes of physical activity

Method: observation, interviews, questionnaires

Timeline: Yearly



Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Adult Women

Project or Activity: Heart Health Lunch and Learn

Content or Curriculum: UK Publications

Inputs: Union County Health Coalition, Deaconess Hospital of Union County

Date: February 


Audience: Preschool children and families

Project or Activity: "The Mouse is in the House" math/literacy day

Content or Curriculum: LEAP

Inputs: Early Childhood Council

Date: March 


Audience: Preschool Children

Project or Activity: LEAP

Content or Curriculum: LEAP Curriculum

Inputs: Union County Head Start

Date: Fall, Winter, Spring 


Audience: World's Greatest Baby Shower

Project: Shower for Expectant Parents

Content or Curriculum: Parenting Curriculum

Inputs: Union & Henderson County Methodist Hospitals, UC Schools

Date: June


Audience: Youth and Young Adults

Project or Activity: Health Fairs

Content of Curriculum: Agent Developed

Inputs: UC Schools

Date: Fall 


Audience: General Public

Project: newspaper articles

Content of Curriculum: UK Publications

Inputs:

Date: Weekly newspapers


Audience: Adults

Project: Plate It Up

Content or Curriculum: Plate It Up

Inputs: Green River Area Homemakers, Ag Expo

Date: August, October, January, March 

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