Graves County CES

Title:

Creating a Quality Lifestyle

MAP:

Making Healthy Lifestyle Choices

Agents Involved:

FCS Agent

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Nurturing Families (general)

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Making Healthy Lifestyle Choices (general)

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Nurturing Parenting

Situation:

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. Minorities and individuals residing in Appalachia bear a heavier brunt of the obesity and chronic disease burden. The goal of the Making Healthy Lifestyle Choices Initiative 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:

•Increase in the practice and promotion of physical activity and healthy eating daily
•Improvement in the built environment to promote physical activity and healthy eating

Intermediate Outcomes:

•Practice healthy food choices and strengthen individuals’ ability to build
healthy eating plans and patterns.
•Practice healthy lifestyle decision-making that strengthen individuals’ ability
to cope with normal life stressors.

Initial Outcomes:

•Practice and promotion of daily physical activity
-Increase awareness of healthy lifestyle choices

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome:Practice and promotion of daily physical activity and
increased awareness of healthy lifestyle choices
Indicator: Number of individuals who reported increase in knowledge related to eating more healthy foods (such as fruits; vegetables; especially dark green and red and orange vegetables and beans and peas; whole grains, fat free or low-fat milk and milk products; seafood twice a week, fiber) that improve personal health
Method: Participant report
Timeline: July-June

Intermediate Outcome: Practice healthy food choices and strengthen individuals’ ability to build healthy eating plans and patterns.
Indicator:Number of individuals who reported eating more foods (such as fruits; vegetables; especially dark green and red and orange vegetables and beans and peas; whole grains, fat free or low-fat milk and milk products; seafood twice a week, fiber) for the purpose of improving their health
Method: Participant report
Timeline: July-June

Long-term Outcome: •Increase in the practice and promotion of physical activity and healthy eating daily
Indicator: Number of individuals who made lifestyle changes (diet, exercise, managing stressors, etc.) for the purpose of improving their health
Method: Participant Report
Timeline: July-June

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Children 2-8

Project or Activity: LEAP

Content or Curriculum: LEAP Curriculum and Library books

Inputs: UK CES publications and resources

Date: January - May

Audience: Youth, Adults, Seniors

Project or Activity: Making Healthy Lifestyle Choices

Content or Curriculum: Making Healthy Lifestyle Choices Curriculum

Inputs: •Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) agents, program assistants, specialists and volunteers

Date: July - June 

Audience: Youth, Adults

Project or Activity: Super Star Chef

Content or Curriculum: Super Star Chef Curriculum

Inputs: Kentucky CES Publications and Resources

Date: Fall - June 

Audience: Low-income families

Project/Activity: SNAP-ED

Content: Making Healthy Lifestyle Curriculum; Plate it Up; Kentucky Proud, etc.

Date: July - June 

Audience: Individuals seeking a weight-loss program

Project/Activity: Biggest Loser/WTRS

Content: UK CES publications

Date: Fall - Winter

Success Stories