Author: Jane Proctor
Major Program: Active Living and Health Promotions General
Big Blue HOT Challenge 2023 Annually, Family and Consumer Sciences Agents see an increased interest from clients in health-behavior choices. This year, to reach both current and new clientele with timely and research-based information, the HOT Challenge (Henry vs. Oldham vs. Trimble) presented a county challenge in time for the holidays - Big Blue Goals. The program was designed to allow for participation through either an online platform (Goalify app) that could be operated on a smartphone
Author: Carla Carter
Type 2 Diabetes has affected our lives in some way or another, especially in the African American community. African Americans adults experience disproportionately rates of obesity (69.6%) related to health disparities such as diabetes, heart disease, and some cancers. African Americans also have two times the rate of having diabetes than Caucasians. According to the County Health Ranking for 2022, Franklin County, Kentucky the population of non-Hispanic African Americans is 10.3%. The Fit
According to County Health Ranking & Roadmaps, approximately 29% of Franklin County, Kentucky adults over the age of 18 and nationally 27.5% of adults aged 50 or older are physically inactive outside of work. Physical inactivity increases as individuals age with approximately 25.4% of adults aged 50-64 years, 26.9% of adults aged 65-74 years, 35.3% of adults aged 75 and older. Regular physical activity and exercise helps to improve your physical and mental health and may improve the abi
Author: Dayna Fentress
After noticing that trails and physical activity events seem to slow down after school goes back in session, and then again once fall season hits, the Family and Consumer Sciences program in Hardin County wanted to promote walking past traditional "summer" hours in 2019. That started the WALKtober challenge. The intent was to encourage individuals to continue getting their normal "summer" steps in throughout fall, or more. This event has since grown into it's third annual
Author: Ashley Vice
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
Author: Melinda McCulley
Health promotion programs have long focused on education about personal health behaviors like tobacco and alcohol use, diet, and physical activity. Health behaviors have an important role in health, but they are not the whole story. Social determinants of health, conditions encompassing social and environmental factors like access to quality health care, economic stability, relationships and interactions, the health and safety of neighborhoods and built environments, and access to quality educat
Author: Lynn Blankenship
The problemYouth in our public schools have reported increased stress and anxiety. Physical activity opportunities provided for many Elementary school aged youth focus on strength and endurance, with less emphasis on balance and flexibility. Extension support staff requested educational sessions at the 2023 Chi Epsilon Sigma annual meeting, to address stress reduction/management. The educational program responseThe Mind Body Connection - Yoga based simple stretching, balance, deep br
More individuals from diverse backgrounds are calling Kentucky home. Learning about different cultures and customs is important for area residents as they learn to live with others from around the world.The Trimble County Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Agent partnered with the Northern KY agents (Pendleton, Kenton and Boone County) to offer a 3-part, hybrid cook-along-from-home series (via Zoom and in-person) focused on the countries and cultures of Spain, Italy, and France.On-line (Zoom
Author: Joan Bowling
According to the Centers for Disease Control, scientific studies prove that exercise can help prevent or manage chronic diseases, improve cognitive functions, decrease falls, and improve one’s mental health. Inactivity increases with age and is estimated that by age 75, about one in three men and one in two women engage in no physical activity. In effort to improve the physical activity of seniors living in an urban apartment complex while also engaging in a more social setting, the
Author: Vicki Boggs
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. 2022 Kentucky Nutrition Education Program Annual Report data indicated that 41% of Leslie County's adult population were considered obese. The County Health Rankings and Roadmaps Kentucky report shows that 42% of the county’s population was conside
Author: Leslie Workman
Author: Lynnette Allen
Health promotion programs have long focused on education about personal health behaviors like tobacco and alcohol use, diet, and physical activity. Health behaviors have an important role in health, but they are not the whole story. The conditions in the environments where people live, work, learn, and play have an even greater influence on one’s quantity and quality of life. These conditions, known as social determinants of health, include social and environmental factors such as housing,
Author: Karli Giles
Author: Courtney Luecking
Health promotion programs have long focused on education about personal health behaviors like tobacco and alcohol use, diet, and physical activity. These health behaviors play an important role in health, but they are not the whole story. Social and environmental factors like access to quality health care, economic stability, relationships and interactions, the health and safety of neighborhoods and built environments, and access to quality education throughout the lifespan account for about 70%
Author: Amy Kostelic
Team: Amy Kostelic, Jill Harris (FCS Agent Todd County)Research confirms that a sense of belonging to a group can enhance life quality by creating opportunity for social connection and support (Berg-Weger & Morley, 2020; Fancourt & Steptoe, 2017; Franke, Sims-Gould, Nettlefold, Ottoni, & McKay, 2021; O’Rourke, Collins & Sidani, 2018; Suragarn, Hain, & Pfaff, 2021). The Kentucky Extension Homemakers Association can be traced back to the beginning of the 20th century. In
Author: Maelyn Dotson
Nearly 50% of adults in the United States do not drink enough water. The human body consists of about 60% water, and if you don’t drink enough water, dehydration can have a variety of effects on the body. Studies show that dehydration can even impair aspects of brain function.Upon observation, youth in Lawrence County don’t drink nearly enough water. Children are often seen carrying around sugary drinks such as soda and juices. Children take behaviors and habits learned in childhood
Author: Andrea Slone
According to the American Diabetes Association, 13.6% of Kentucky’s population is diagnosed with diabetes. It is estimated that over 100,000 individuals in Kentucky do have diabetes but are undiagnosed. Annual diabetes costs in Kentucky are $5.2 billion. The Kentucky Public Health organization reported in 2020 that the Big Sandy Region in Kentucky has a prevalence of diabetes of 18.5%. This is the second highest area in the state.In efforts to educate those already diagnosed with diabetes
Author: Jill Harris
According to the Kentucky Cancer Consortium, Kentucky ranks at or above the national average for incidence and mortality for lung, colon, breast, and cervical cancer. For each of these, effective prevention and early detection strategies could reduce a large proportion of the cancer mortality rate. One goal for breast cancer is to reduce the proportion of late-stage diagnosis and mortality through screening and early detection by reducing barriers such as screening location and language/cultural
