Success StoryHealthy Changes



Healthy Changes

Author: Mary Elaine Burton

Planning Unit: Johnson County CES

Major Program: Nutrition and Food Systems General

Outcome: Long-Term Outcome

 

Kentucky currently has the 6th highest adult obesity rate in the US, with 34.8% of adults affected. In Johnson County, the adult obesity rate is even higher, at 39.9%. To address this issue, the Johnson County Senior NEP assistant and local hospital have collaborated on a program to provide education on healthy eating habits and exercise.

During the seven-week program, participants engaged in a series of lessons focused on making healthier choices, including understanding personal limits, understanding food labels, planning meals, and promoting overall wellness. Starting from a baseline of minimal exercise and no meal planning, the group demonstrated simple and quick recipes, emphasized the importance of understanding food content, and tracked their progress. By the fourth week, participants were challenging each other with step goals, resulting in improved food choices and increased physical activity. With a 90% overall improvement rate by the seventh week, one client reported she lost 9 pounds during the program and intended to continue with the newly learned habits.