Author: Deborah Messenger
Planning Unit: Cumberland County CES
Major Program: Active Living and Health Promotions General
Plan of Work: Nutrition, Food Systems and Health Promotions
Outcome: Intermediate Outcome
The Cumberland County Family and Consumer Sciences Agent offered a second part to the "Living Your Best Life" series. 25 individuals participated in a 7-part series that focused on each of the FCS Initiatives. A lesson from each initiative was presented to participants and they were challenged with an activity to support the lesson. The seven initiatives are: Making Healthy Lifestyle Choices, Nurturing Families, Embracing Life as We Age, Securing Financial Stability, Promoting Healthy Homes and Communities, Accessing Nutritious Foods and Empowering Community Leaders.
Individuals were encouraged to identify their motivation for change in areas of their lives, track eating and spending habits, set small financial goals, declutter a small area of their home, try a healthy recipe and prepare at home with family and begin a low key physical activity program. 60% completed and returned post-evaluations which showed the following:
100% plan to implement at least one strategy to maintain or improve financial health
100% intend to engage in at least 30 minutes of physical activity
Participants saved a total of $3,841 during the course of the program
73% shared that their attitude had improved during the program
46% improved in healthy eating
86% increased the amount of physical activity
80% reported improvements in sleep
73% reported improvements in stress management
93% shared that they were cooking more meals at home
86% reported and increase in the consumption of fruits and vegetables
One participant stated that "this program helped me make lifestyle changes to benefit myself and also my family." Another participant stated that the program benefited her by helping her "prioritize the most important things, so that I can focus on what matters most."
Low levels of physical activity, unhealthy nutrition, and poor mental health are all determinants of... Read More
Annually, Family and Consumer Sciences Agents and staff see an increased interest from clients in he... Read More
Volunteering has a significant impact on people and the communities in which they live. Cumberland C... Read More
4-H is a youth organization committed to building outstanding leaders with marketable skills to succ... Read More